Characterizing infection of B cells with wild-type and vaccine strains of measles virus

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Logan Melot, Emory University; Bettina Bankamp, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Paul Rota, Emory University; Melissa M. Coughlin, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-08-25
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023, Elsevier
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.isci.2023.107721
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: iSciences
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 10
• Start Page: 107721
• Keywords: Virology; Immunology
• Research Categories: Biology, Virology; Health Sciences, Immunology

Abstract

Acute infection with measles virus (MeV) causes transient immunosuppression often leading to secondary infections. MeV infection of B lymphocytes results in changes in the antibody repertoire and memory B cell populations for which the mechanism is unknown. In this study, we characterize the infection of primary B cells with wild-type and vaccine strains of MeV. Vaccine-infected B cells were characterized by a higher percentage of cells positive for viral protein, a higher level of viral transcription and reduced cell death compared to wild-type infected cells, regardless of B cell subtype. Vaccine-infected cells showed more production of TNF-α and IL-10 but less production of IL-8 compared to wild-type infected cells. IL-4 and IL-6 levels detected were increased during both vaccine and wild-type infection. Despite evidence of replication, measles-infected B cells did not produce detectable viral progeny. This study furthers our understanding of the outcomes of MeV infection of human B cells.