Fc and C3 receptor patterns on two EBV-negative burkitt lymphoma lines during acute exposure to EBV (P3HR-1 substrain)

Abstract

Exposure of the two EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma lines, BJAB and Ramos, to the abortively cytopathic P3HR-1 substrain of EBV led to an increased expression of C3 receptors within the first twelve weeks. At the twelfth week, 100% of cells carried a high concentration of C3 receptors in both lines. Compared with the receptor pattern of BJAB and Ramos after chronic virus exposure it was seen that after the twelfth week some of the C3 receptors vanished while a certain number of Fc receptors reappeared. These changes in the surface markers are regarded as part of the multiple changes found during exposure to P3HR-1 virus. Apparently, the superinfection initiates a progressive maturation of the cells and the increase of C3 receptors is regarded as an expression of a ‘switch to the right’ in the B-cell differentiation pathway.