Epstein-Barr Virus Transformation Induces Expression of trk b mRNA in Human B Lymphocytes

Scott D.Z. Eggers and Anthony J. Windebank, MD

Published: 14 May 1996

Neurotrophins may play a role in immune function modulation. We have shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)­transformed B lymphocytes express functional Trk B, the high-affinity transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-4/5. In this study, we have used reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to examine the expression of trk b mRNA in normal human and EBV-transformed B lymphocytes. We demonstrated that trk b mRNA was undetectable in normal B lymphocytes but was expressed following EBV transformation. Additionally, normal B lymphocytes up-regulated trk b transcription after stimulation with a combination of B cell-specific polyclonal activating agents.

Keywords: CD40, RT-PCR, BDNF, NT-4/5