Hepatitis C Virus Drives the Unconstrained Monoclonal Expansion of VH1–69-Expressing Memory B Cells in Type II Cryoglobulinemia: A Model of Infection-Driven Lymphomagenesis

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection causes B cell lymphoproliferative disorders that include type II mixed cryoglobulinemia and lymphoma. This virus drives the monoclonal expansion and, occasionally, the malignant transformation of B cells producing a polyreactive natural Ab commonly encoded by the VH1–69 variable gene. Owing to their property of producing natural Ab, these cells are reminiscent of murine B-1 and marginal zone B cells. We used anti-Id Abs to track the stages of differentiation and clonal expansion of VH1–69+ cells in patients with type II mixed cryoglobulinemia. By immunophenotyping and cell size analysis, we could define three discrete stages of differentiation of VH1–69+ B cells: naive (small, IgMhighIgDhighCD38+CD27−CD21highCD95−CD5−), “early memory” (medium-sized, IgMhighIgDlowCD38−CD27+CD21lowCD95+CD5+), and “late memory” (large-sized, IgMlowIgDlow-negCD38−CD27lowCD21low-negCD5−CD95−). The B cells expanded in cryoglobulinemia patients have a “memory” phenotype; this fact, together with the evidence for intraclonal variation, suggests that antigenic stimulation by hepatitis C virus causes the unconstrained expansion of activated VH1–69+ B cells. In some cases, these cells replace the entire pool of circulating B cells, although the absolute B cell number remains within normal limits. Absolute monoclonal VH1–69+ B lymphocytosis was seen in three patients with cryoglobulinemia and splenic lymphoma; in two of these patients, expanded cells carried trisomy 3q. The data presented here indicate that the hepatitis C virus-driven clonal expansion of memory B cells producing a VH1–69+ natural Ab escapes control mechanisms and subverts B cell homeostasis. Genetic alterations may provide a further growth advantage leading to an overt lymphoproliferative disorder.