Dangerous Liaisons: Gammaherpesvirus Subversion of the Immunoglobulin Repertoire

A common biologic property of the gammaherpesviruses Epstein–Barr Virus and Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus is their use of B lymphocytes as a reservoir of latency in healthy individuals that can undergo oncogenic transformation later in life. Gammaherpesviruses (GHVs) employ an impressive arsenal of proteins and non-coding RNAs to reprogram lymphocytes for proliferative expansion. Within lymphoid tissues, the germinal center (GC) reaction is a hub of B cell proliferation and death. The goal of a GC is to generate and then select for a pool of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes that will provide a protective humoral adaptive immune response. B cells infected with GHVs are detected in GCs and bear the hallmark signatures of the mutagenic processes of somatic hypermutation and isotype class switching of the Ig genes. However, data also supports extrafollicular B cells as a reservoir engaged by GHVs. Next-generation sequencing technologies provide unprecedented detail of the Ig sequence that informs the natural history of infection at the single cell level. Here, we review recent reports from human and murine GHV systems that identify striking differences in the immunoglobulin repertoire of infected B cells compared to their uninfected counterparts. Implications for virus biology, GHV-associated cancers, and host immune dysfunction will be discussed.

Repair of Furcal Iatrogenic Perforation with Mineral Trioxide Aggregate: Two Years Follow-up of Two Cases

Furcal perforation is usually an undesired complication that can occur during preparation of endodontic access cavities or exploring canal orifice of multirooted teeth. Inadequacy of the repair materials has been a contributing factor to the poor outcome of repair procedures. On the basis of the recent physical and biologic property studies of the relatively new introduced mineral trioxide aggregate, this material may be suitable for closing the communication between the pulp chamber and the underlying periodontal tissues. There are few reports on repair of furcal perforation with MTA in molar teeth. The purpose of this case report was to describe the treatment of two furcal perforation using MTA in molar teeth. The perforations were cleaned with NaOCl and saline solution and sealed with MTA without internal matrix. Finally, the teeth were endodontically treated and coronally restored with composite resin and ceramic veneer crown and bridge. After 2 years, the absence of periradicular radiolucent lesions, pain, and swelling along with functional tooth stability indicated a successful outcome of sealing perforations in two cases. (Eur J Dent 2010;4:475-481)

IP-10, a -C-X-C- chemokine, elicits a potent thymus-dependent antitumor response in vivo.

IP-10 is a member of the -C-X-C-chemokine superfamily of proinflammatory cytokines whose secretion is induced by interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To date no function has been described for IP-10. We have genetically engineered tumor cells to secrete high levels of murine IP-10 and demonstrate that while IP-10 has no effect on the growth of these tumor cells in culture, it elicits a powerful host-mediated antitumor effect in vivo. The IP-10 antitumor response is T lymphocyte dependent, non-cell autonomous, and appears to be mediated by the recruitment of an inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes. These results document an important biologic property of IP-10 and raise the possibility that some of the T cell-directed effects of IFN-gamma and LPS may be mediated by this chemokine.

Neutralization of reovirus: the gene responsible for the neutralization antigen.

The S1 genome segment of reovirus is linked to type specificity as determined by neutralization antibody. This gene segment codes for a minor outer capsid polypeptide (sigma1). Therefore, sigma1 is the peptide responsible for induction of neutralization antibody and confers type specificity. This biologic property of reovirus was defined using hybrid recombinants clones between reovirus types 1 and 3 and 2 and 3.

COMPLEMENT-DEPENDENT PLATELET INJURY BY STAPHYLOCOCCAL PROTEIN A

A new example of complement-mediated platelet injury has been described. Staphylococcal protein A (SPA) causes rabbit platelet injury as manifested by release of platelet 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT). This reaction is complement-dependent and occurs over a very small range of SPA concentration, larger amounts being inhibitory. Complement fixation by SPA demonstrates the same narrow SPA concentration requirement whereas precipitation of IgG by SPA is roughly proportional to SPA concentration over a wide concentration range. The reaction can be separated into a sensitization step which requires SPA and plasma but not complement, and a release step which does require complement. Complement-mediated platelet damage induced by SPA is a new biologic property of this common component of the cell wall of pathogenic staphylococci which may contribute to the development of inflammatory and thromboembolic reactions complicating intravascular staphylococcal infection.