High frequency of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lymphoblastoid cell line-reactive lymphocytes in cord blood: evaluation of cytolytic activity and IL-2 production.

Abstract

We investigated natural immunity towards autologous EBV lymphoblastoid cell lines (EBV-LCL) in the cord blood. Cord blood lymphocytes (CBL) from 20 healthy neonates were examined together with three EBV+ and one EBV- adult donors. We found that high frequencies of EBV-LCL-reactive cytotoxic lymphocytes, ranging from 1/190 to 1/12,205 were detectable in EBV- and EBV+ donors, as well as in the cord blood of 15 out of 20 neonates. Surface phenotype analysis, depletion experiments with MoAbs specific for T and natural killer (NK) lymphocyte subsets, and T lymphocyte cloning procedures strongly indicate virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) as the major population responsible for the lysis of autologous EBV-LCL in EBV+ donors. Conversely, a high frequency of NK cells seems to be involved in the killing activity observed in neonates and in the EBV- donor. Frequencies of EBV-LCL-induced IL-2-producing lymphocytes were high in EBV+ donors (range 1/2247-1/6633) and heterogeneous, but consistent, in cord blood (range 1/5072-1/57,819) and in the EBV- adult (1/17,148). CD8+ lymphocytes were responsible for IL-2 production in EBV+ individuals, while CD4+ T cells were charged with this role in cord blood and in the EBV- donor. These data demonstrate that CBL are able to develop a strong innate immunity, directed against autologous EBV-infected cells, mediated by both NK cells and CD4+ T lymphocytes. This characteristic may be relevant for protection against viral infections in both neonates and patients given cord blood transplantation (CBT).

• Authors: A Moretta, P Comoli, D Montagna, A Gasparoni, E Percivalle, I Carena, M G Revello, G Gerna, G Mingrat, F Locatelli, G Rondini, R Maccario
• Journal: Clinical and experimental immunology (Clin Exp Immunol) Vol. 107 Issue 2 Pg. 312-20 (Feb 1997) ISSN: 0009-9104 [Print] England
• PMID: 9030869 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• CD56 Antigen
• Interleukin-2

Topics

• Adult
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (metabolism)
• CD56 Antigen (analysis)
• Cell Line (virology)
• Fetal Blood (cytology)
• Herpesvirus 4, Human (physiology)
• Humans
• Immunity, Innate
• Infant, Newborn
• Interleukin-2 (biosynthesis)
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology)
• Lymphocytes (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic