A possible mechanism of NK cell-lineage granular lymphocyte proliferative disorder (NK-GLPD) in a patient with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) and severe hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (SHMB)

Intern Med. 2002 Aug;41(8):651-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.41.651.

Abstract

We report the case of a young female patient with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) and severe hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (SHMB). She showed a marked increase of NK cell population in peripheral blood. The NK cell population was suggested to be infected with EBV, and to be oligoclonal by Southern blotting using an EBV genome terminal-repeat probe. The NK cells aberrantly expressed CD25, a high affinity receptor for IL-2, and showed an augmented in vitro proliferative response to IL-2. Moreover, they also showed enhanced expression of both Fas-ligand and Bcl-2, and resistance to in vitro Fas-induced apoptotic cell death (Fas-ACD). Taken together, these observations suggested that both the augmentation of proliferative response to IL-2 and the decrease in Fas-ACD may cause NK cell lineage granular lymphocyte proliferative disorder (NK-GLPD) in patients with CAEBV and SHMB.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Chronic Disease
  • Culicidae
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / complications*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / complications*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Insect Bites and Stings / complications*
  • Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / etiology*
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / immunology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism

Substances

  • FASLG protein, human
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Membrane Glycoproteins