Group C adenovirus DNA sequences in human lymphoid cells

Abstract

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes from healthy adults, cord blood lymphocytes, and lymphoblastoid cell lines were screened by hybridization for the presence of group C adenovirus DNA sequences. In 13 of 17 peripheral blood lymphocyte samples from adults, 1 of 10 cord blood samples, and seven of seven lymphoblastoid cell lines tested, results were positive for Group C adenovirus DNA (adenovirus 1 [Adl], Ad2, AdS, or Ad6). About 1 to 2% of the lymphocytes carried 50 to 100 viral genome copies per positive cell, as estimated by in situ hybridization. Infectious virus representing all members of group C were recovered, but cultivation in the presence of adenovirus antibody did not cure the cells of free viral genomes. Viral DNA was found in B, T, and N cells but only in 1 of 10 cord blood samples. The results suggest that group C adenovirus infections in childhood result in the persistence of the viral genome in circulating lymphocytes.

Adenoviruses as vaccine vectors

“…Symptoms caused by chimpanzee-derived adenoviruses [11] that are currently being explored for vaccine development [12] remain ill defined. Upon acute infections adenoviruses are known to persist in lymphoid cells [13,14]. Persistence, which does not appear to have clinical sequelae, is linked to the E3 gene products [15], which not only protect infected cells from destruction by the adaptive immune system but also through inhibition of apoptosis confer a survival advantage to persistently infected cells.…”

“…Persistence, which does not appear to have clinical sequelae, is linked to the E3 gene products [15], which not only protect infected cells from destruction by the adaptive immune system but also through inhibition of apoptosis confer a survival advantage to persistently infected cells. During persistence the viral genome is retained episomally and virus can be rescued with, albeit low, efficiency from lymphatic tissues years after an acute infection [13,14]. Some human adenovirus serotypes are ubiquitous and infect most children during early infancy.…”

Adenovirus as an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients

“…While adenoviruses generally infect mucosal epithelium, different serotypes differ in their tissue-specificity, and infection ultimately results in cell destruction (Table I). However, adenoviruses may be persistent and can be detected months after primary exposure (Nasz et al, 1971; Van der Veen & Lambriex, 1973;Horvath et al, 1986). Pathogenicity varies according to group and type, and organ specificity and disease patterns appear to cluster within particular subgroups (Horwitz, 2001;Kojaoghlanian et al, 2003).…”

Prise en charge des pathologies respiratoires à adénovirus chez l’enfant immunocompétent

“…Les séquelles pulmonaires graves surviennent avec une particulière fréquence dans certaines populations homogènes, chez qui un facteur génétique pourrait intervenir mais le sous-type adénoviral garde un rôle essentiel [25,26]. Le site préférentiel de réplication des AdV est l'épithélium respiratoire, la réplication semblant limitée au tissu lymphoïde, qui représente par contre un lieu essentiel de persistance virale [27].…”