Epstein-Barr virus infection of human astrocyte cell lines

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated in different central nervous system syndromes. The major cellular receptor for EBV, complement receptor type 2 (CR2) (CD21), is expressed by different astrocyte cell lines and human feta l astrocytes, suggesting their susceptibility to EBV infection. We demonstr ated the infection of two astrocyte cell lines, T98 and CB193, at low level s. As infection was mediated by CR2, we used two stable CR2 transfectant as trocyte cell lines (T98CR2 and CB193CR2) to achieve a more efficient infect ion. We have monitored EBV gene expression for 2 months and observed the tr ansient infection of T98 and T98CR2 cells and persistent infection of CB193 and CB193CR2 cells. The detection of BZLF1, BALF2, and BcLF1 mRNA expressi on suggests that the lytic cycle is initiated at early time points postinfe ction. At later time points the pattern of mRNA expressed (EBER1, EBNA1, EB NA2, and LMP1) differs from latency type III in the absence of LMP2A transc ription and in the expression of BALF2 and BcLF1 but not BZLF1. A reactivat ion of the lytic cycle was achieved in CB193CR2 cells by the addition of ph orbol esters. These studies identify astrocyte cell lines as targets for EB V infection and suggest that this infection might play a role in the pathol ogy of EBV in the brain.