Lytic replication of Epstein-Barr virus in human peripheral T-lymphocytes

Background: There are few reports about the interactions of EBV with peripheral T-cells, especially during the early phase of infection. Objective: Demonstrate the capability of EBV to infect and replicate in human peripheral T-cells in vitro. Methods: After treating with EBV, the susceptibility of in vitro EBV infection into T-cells was confirmed using electron microscopy, the expression of EBV mRNA using RT-PCR, and the expression of EBV proteins using Western blot analysis. The expression of CD19 and CD21 mRNA was determined using RT-PCR. The induction of cell death was measured using trypan blue exclusion assay. Results: The susceptibility of in vitro EBV infection was confirmed by the presence of virus particles in the cytoplasm. The entering to lytic infection was confirmed by detection the expression of EBV lytic (BZLF1) mRNA, and the expression of late lytic proteins (VCA and gp350/220). The expression of CD19 and CD21 were not observed using RT-PCR. The interactions of EBV with T-cells leaded to induction of T-cell death. Conclusion: Peripheral T-cells are a direct target of EBV infection. At the beginning of infection by EBV, EBV infection of T-cells leads to the entering into lytic virus replication. EBV binds to these cells through a receptor distinct from the CD21.