Effects of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection on CD19+ B Lymphocytes in Patients with Immunorelated Pancytopenia

Abstract

Objectives. To explore effects of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection on CD19+ B lymphocytes in patients with immunorelated pancytopenia (IRP). Methods. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in vitro diagnostic kit was used to detect EBV capsid antigen- (CA-) IgG and VCA-IgM antibodies in the serum. We analyzed the EBV-DNA copies of CD19+ B lymphocyte by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). CD21, CD23, CD5, CD80, and CD86 receptors on the surfaces of CD19+ B cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The correlation between these receptors and EBV-DNA copies were evaluated. Results. The results revealed that the positive rate of EBVCA-IgM and CD19+ B lymphocyte EBV-DNA copy in the IRP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). CD19+ B lymphocyte EBV-DNA copies were also more abundant in IRP patients than in control subjects (P<0.05). Expression levels of the CD21, CD23, CD5, CD80, and CD86 receptors on the surfaces of CD19+ B cells in IRP patients with anti-EBVCA IgM positivity were significantly higher than those in anti-EBVCA IgM negativity IRP patients (P<0.05). The results revealed that EBV-DNA copy numbers were positively correlated with CD21, CD23, CD5, CD80, and CD86 expression. Conclusions. EBV infection may activate CD19+ B lymphocytes and further disrupt bone marrow hematopoiesis in IRP patients.