Open AccessAnalysis of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) receptor CD21 on peripheral B lymphocytes of long‐term EBV − adults
Author(s) -
Wolfram J. Jabs,
Michelle T. Paulsen,
H Wagner,
Holger Kirchner,
Harald Klüter
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2249.1999.00912.x
Subject(s) - cd19 , immunology , epstein–barr virus , virus , antibody , receptor , biology , virology , serology , medicine , biochemistry
Primary infections with EBV are rarely observed after the age of 20. Some individuals even remain seronegative all their lives. Previously, a lack of EBV receptors on B cells of persistently EBV − adults was described as a reason for long‐term EBV‐seronegativity. The present study examined the CD21 receptor status of 20 repeatedly EBV − healthy adults and 32 EBV + volunteers by means of flow cytometry. CD21 molecules on the surface of CD19 + B cells were quantified using anti‐IgG‐coated microbeads. The percentage of CD19 + /CD21 + B lymphocytes was slightly lower in the peripheral blood of EBV − donors, but the CD21 antibody binding capacity on CD19 + B cells showed no significant differences between EBV − and EBV + adults. In vitro studies showed an equally good EBV transformability of peripheral B lymphocytes of EBV − and EBV + donors. Since HLA‐DR was recently described as a co‐receptor for EBV infection of B cells, we also determined HLA‐DRB1 alleles in the EBV − group. We found a significant negative association of EBV‐seronegativity with HLA‐DR13 in comparison with 111 healthy blood donors. In summary, a biologically significant lack of the EBV receptor CD21 on peripheral B lymphocytes of persistently EBV − adults was excluded as a reason for long‐term EBV‐seronegativity.