Epigenetic Plasticity Enables CNS-Trafficking of EBV-infected B Lymphocytes

PLoS Pathog. 2021 Jun 9;17(6):e1009618. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009618. eCollection 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Subpopulations of B-lymphocytes traffic to different sites and organs to provide diverse and tissue-specific functions. Here, we provide evidence that epigenetic differences confer a neuroinvasive phenotype. An EBV+ B cell lymphoma cell line (M14) with low frequency trafficking to the CNS was neuroadapted to generate a highly neuroinvasive B-cell population (MUN14). MUN14 B cells efficiently infiltrated the CNS within one week and produced neurological pathologies. We compared the gene expression profiles of viral and cellular genes using RNA-Seq and identified one viral (EBNA1) and several cellular gene candidates, including secreted phosphoprotein 1/osteopontin (SPP1/OPN), neuron navigator 3 (NAV3), CXCR4, and germinal center-associated signaling and motility protein (GCSAM) that were selectively upregulated in MUN14. ATAC-Seq and ChIP-qPCR revealed that these gene expression changes correlated with epigenetic changes at gene regulatory elements. The neuroinvasive phenotype could be attenuated with a neutralizing antibody to OPN, confirming the functional role of this protein in trafficking EBV+ B cells to the CNS. These studies indicate that B-cell trafficking to the CNS can be acquired by epigenetic adaptations and provide a new model to study B-cell neuroinvasion associated CNS lymphoma and autoimmune disease of the CNS, including multiple sclerosis (MS).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Cell Transformation, Viral / physiology
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / virology*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / genetics
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / metabolism
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / pathology*
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human
  • Lymphoma / metabolism
  • Lymphoma / pathology
  • Lymphoma / virology
  • Mice
  • Osteopontin / metabolism

Substances

  • Spp1 protein, mouse
  • Osteopontin