Gene expression profiling on monocytes displaying Herpes Simplex virus 1-induced dysregulation of antifungal defences.

BACKGROUND: Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is responsible of many oncologic and non-oncologic diseases, including hemophagocytic syndrome in which red blood cells are phagocytosed by macrophages and B cells. EBV is reported to infect mainly B lymphocytes and epithelial cells; virus can be detected also in rare monocytes/macrophages, but its efficient replication in these cells has not been demonstrated.MATERIALS AND METHODS: EBV was obtained from P3RH1 cells stimulated with phorbol and butirate. A human monocytic cell line (THP-1) and an EBV negative B cell line (BJA-B) were infected with P3HR1- EBV strain: virus growth was monitored by IFA with a monoclonal antibody and by Real-Time PCR TaqMan. The effects of virus replication on phagocytosis of Candida albicans were evaluated by means of a double stain immunofluorescence assay. Intracellular killing of phagocytosed candida cells was measured by the colony forming unit inhibition assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION EBV can productively infect THP-1 monocyte cell line. EBV infection results in a significant increase in macrophage phagocytic activity versus Candida albicans as well as alteration of intracellular killing. Also BJA-B cells were stimulated in their phagocytic activity by EBV infection