The interplay between local immune response and Epstein –Barr virus-infected tonsillar cells could lead to viral infection control

AbstractEpstein Barr virus (EBV) gains access to the host through tonsillar crypts. Our aim was to characterize microenvironment composition around EBV+  cells in tonsils from pediatric carriers, to disclose its role on viral pathogenesis. LMP1 expression, assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), was used to discriminate EBV + and – zones in 41 tonsil biopsies. Three regions were defined: Subepithelial (SE), interfollicular (IF) and germina l center (GC). CD8, GrB, CD68, IL10, Foxp3, PD1, CD56 and CD4 markers were evaluated by IHC; positive cells/100 total cells were counted. CD8+, GrB+, CD68+ and IL10+ cells were prevalent in EBV+ zones at the SE region (p <  0.0001,p = 0.03,p = 0.002 andp = 0.002 respectively, Wilcoxon test). CD4+ and CD68+ cell count were higher in EBV + GC (p = 0.01 andp = 0.0002 respectively, Wilcoxon test). Increment of CD8, GrB and CD68 at the SE region could indicate a specific response that may be due to local homing at viral entry, which could be counterbalanced by IL10, an immunosuppressive cytokine. Additionally, it could be hypothesized that CD4 augmen t at the GC may be involved in the EBV-induced B-cell growth control at this region, in which macrophages could also participate.
Source: Medical Microbiology and Immunology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research