AIMS: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) targets predominantly B cells and these cells could acquire new phenotype characteristics. Here we analyzed whether EBV-infected and -uninfected B cells from healthy subjects differ in proportion of dominant phenotypes, maturation stage, and homing receptors expression. METHODS: EBV-infected and -uninfected cells were identified by flow cytometry using fluorophore-labeled EBV RNA-specific DNA probes combined with fluorophore-labeled antibody to surface lineage markers, integrins, chemokine receptors, and immunoglobulin isotypes, including intracellular ones. RESULTS: Our results show that the trafficking characteristics of EBERpos B cells are distinct from EBERneg B cells with most dominant differences detected for α4β1 and α4β7 and CCR5 and CCR7. EBV-positive cells are predominantly memory IgM+ B cells or plasmablasts/plasma cells (PB/PC) positive for IgA or less for IgM. In comparison to uninfected B cells, less EBV-positive B cells express α4β7 and almost no cells express α4β1. EBV-positive B cells contained significantly higher proportion of CCR5+ and CCR7+ cells in comparison to EBV-negative cells. In vitro exposure of blood mononuclear cells to pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 reduces population of EBV-positive B cell. CONCLUSION: Although EBV-infected B cells represent only a minor subpopulation, their atypical functions could contribute in predisposed person to development abnormities such as some autoimmune diseases or tumors. Using multi-parameter flow cytometry we characterized differences in migration of EBV-positive and -negative B cells of various maturation stage and isotype of produced antibodies particularly different targeting to mucosal tissues of gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.

Department of Immunology Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc Czech Republic

Department of Internal Medicine

Department of Internal Medicine 3 Nephrology Rheumatology and Endocrinology Palacky University Olomouc and University Hospital Olomouc Czech Republic

Department of Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA

Department of Microbiology

Department of Microbiology University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama USA

Department of Pediatrics

Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology Institute of Microbiology Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic

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