Analysis of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) receptor CD21 on peripheral B lymphocytes of long-term EBV− adults

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Abstract
Primary infections with EBV are rarely observed after the age of 20. Some individuals even remain seronegative all their lives. Previously, a lack of EBV receptors on B cells of persistently EBV− adults was described as a reason for long-term EBV-seronegativity. The present study examined the CD21 receptor status of 20 repeatedly EBV− healthy adults and 32 EBV+ volunteers by means of flow cytometry. CD21 molecules on the surface of CD19+ B cells were quantified using anti-IgG-coated microbeads. The percentage of CD19+/CD21+ B lymphocytes was slightly lower in the peripheral blood of EBV−donors, but the CD21 antibody binding capacity on CD19+ B cells showed no significant differences between EBV− and EBV+ adults. In vitro studies showed an equally good EBV transformability of peripheral B lymphocytes of EBV− and EBV+ donors. Since HLA-DR was recently described as a co-receptor for EBV infection of B cells, we also determined HLA-DRB1 alleles in the EBV−group. We found a significant negative association of EBV-seronegativity with HLA-DR13 in comparison with 111 healthy blood donors. In summary, a biologically significant lack of the EBV receptor CD21 on peripheral B lymphocytes of persistently EBV− adults was excluded as a reason for long-term EBV-seronegativity.