Gammaherpesvirus targets peritoneal B-1 B cells for long-term latency

Abstract

Gammaherpesviruses establish life-long infection in most adults and are associated with the development of B cell lymphomas. While the interaction between gammaherpesviruses and splenic B cells has been explored, very little is known about gammaherpesvirus infection of B-1 B cells, innate-like B cells that primarily reside in body cavities. This study demonstrates that B-1 B cells harbor the highest frequency of latently infected cells in the peritoneum throughout chronic infection, highlighting a previously unappreciated feature of gammaherpesvirus biology.

Keywords: B-1 B cells; Chronic infection; Gammaherpesvirus.