by Scott D.Z. Eggers and Anthony J. Windebank, MD
Published: 14 May 1996
Neurotrophins may play a role in immune function modulation. We have
shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)transformed B lymphocytes
express functional Trk B, the high-affinity transmembrane tyrosine
kinase receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and
neurotrophin-4/5. In this study, we have used reverse transcriptase
polymerase chain reaction to examine the expression of trk b
mRNA in normal human and EBV-transformed B lymphocytes. We
demonstrated that trk b mRNA was undetectable in normal
B lymphocytes but was expressed following EBV transformation.
Additionally, normal B lymphocytes up-regulated trk b
transcription after stimulation with a combination of B cell-specific
polyclonal activating agents.
Key words: CD40, RT-PCR, BDNF, NT-4/5
Epstein-Barr Virus Transformation Induces Expression of trk b
mRNA in Human B Lymphocytes
by Scott D.Z. Eggers and
Anthony J. Windebank, M.D.
