biostudies-literatureMyoung JNIDCR NIH HHSHoward Hughes Medical Institute1130-40https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3049404biostudies-literatureUnknown121(3)Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a B-lymphotropic virus whose primary site of replication is the oropharynx. KSHV can infect both T and B cells from primary tonsillar explant cultures. However, T cells do not support lytic replication, while B cells spontaneously produce substantial amounts of infectious virus. Here, we provide evidence for a mechanism by which activated T cells may promote or stabilize latency of KSHV infection in B cells. When mixed cultures of B cells and activated T cells were exposed to KSHV, little spontaneous virus production was observed. Removing T cells from the mix or treating the mixed culture with immune suppressants enhanced virus production. Adding back activated T cells to purified infected B cells efficiently suppressed KSHV production, primThe Journal of clinical investigationActive lytic infection of human primary tonsillar B cells by KSHV and its noncytolytic control by activated CD4+ T cells.PMC3049404P01 DE019085P01DE019085Ganem DMyoung JfalseActive lytic infection of human primary tonsillar B cells by KSHV and its noncytolytic control by activated CD4+ T cells.Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a B-lymphotropic virus whose primary site of replication is the oropharynx. KSHV can infect both T and B cells from primary tonsillar explant cultures. However, T cells do not support lytic replication, while B cells spontaneously produce substantial amounts of infectious virus. Here, we provide evidence for a mechanism by which activated T cells may promote or stabilize latency of KSHV infection in B cells. When mixed cultures of B cells and activated T cells were exposed to KSHV, little spontaneous virus production was observed. Removing T cells from the mix or treating the mixed culture with immune suppressants enhanced virus production. Adding back activated T cells to purified infected B cells efficiently suppressed KSHV production, prim2011-01-01T00:00:00Z2011 Mar2025-04-07T00:15:14.641Z2019-03-27T00:39:24ZS-EPMC30494042133964810.1172/JCI4375510.1172/jci43755