GB virus C replicates in primary T and B lymphocytes

J Infect Dis. 2006 Feb 1;193(3):451-4. doi: 10.1086/499435. Epub 2005 Dec 28.

Abstract

GB virus C (GBV-C) infection is common in humans and may persist for decades, although most infected persons clear the virus and subsequently develop antibodies to the envelope glycoprotein. GBV-C replicates in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CD4(+) T lymphocytes in vitro, and depletion of CD4(+) T lymphocytes has been proposed as the reason for clearance of GBV-C among persons positive for human immunodeficiency virus. We identified GBV-C RNA in purified CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes and CD19(+) B lymphocytes removed ex vivo from infected donors and found that GBV-C replicated in vitro in these PBMC subsets, suggesting that GBV-C is a panlymphotropic virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD19 / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Flaviviridae Infections / complications
  • Flaviviridae Infections / virology
  • GB virus C / genetics
  • GB virus C / isolation & purification
  • GB virus C / physiology*
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / virology
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Virus Replication*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • RNA, Viral