Gammaherpesvirus targets peritoneal B-1 B cells for long-term latent infection.
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Gammaherpesvirus tropism for B-1 B cells is independent of the route of inoculation.
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Route of inoculation alters gammaherpesvirus tropism for peritoneal myeloid cells.
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.