Studies of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection and Immunoregulation in Patients with Aids and Aids-Related Disorders.

摘要

The goal of this research effort was to identify the mechanisms responsible for growth of EBV-immortalized B cells and their immune regulation in vivo. In addition, this research sought to define defects of growth and regulation in EBV-infected B cells during HIV infection. Major findings include: (1) identification of two molecules, IL-6 and lactic acid, responsible for autocrine growth stimulation of EBV-immortalized B cells; 2) recognition of a novel regulatory mechanism responsible for growth regulation of EBV-immortalized B cells where T cells deplete growth factors required by EBV-immortalized B cells for growth and 3) identification of abnormal serum IL-6 concentrations in HIV-infected individuals and demonstration of IL-6 tumorigenicity for EBV-immortalized B cells.