The Correlation Between Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in B Lymphocytes and Systemic Lupus Erythemato-sus

Objective To investigate the correlation between Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)infection and the initiation and development of systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods The expression of EBV-LMP1 and E-BV-ZEBRA was detected by two-colour cytofluorography in CD19+、CD23+ B lymphocytes in peripheral blood of SLE patients. Results The expression of EBV-LMP1 in CD19+ Bcells and CD23+ Bcells was significantly increased in active stage patients compared with that in remission stage patients,an d in patient group compared with that in controls.The frequencies of expression of EBV-LMP1were significantly higher in CD23+ B cells than that in CD19+ Bcells in SLEpatients,but not in normal controls.The expression of EBV-ZEBRA could be detected in SLE patients only,and its expression in CD19+B cells and CD23+ B cells was significantly higher in a ctive stage than that in remission stage.The frequencies of expression of EBV-ZEBRA were significantly higher in CD23+ Bcells than that in CD19+ B cells in active stage,but not in remission stage. Conclusion EBV infection and replication lead to overactivation of B lymphocytes,which might be related to the initiation and development of SLE. Key words: Lupus erythematosus,systemic; B-lymphocytes; Herpesvirus 4,human