M1 Macrophage Polarization Prevails in Epstein-Barr Virus-Infected Children in an Immunoregulatory Environment

MOYANO, A.; FERRESSINI GERPE, N. M.; DE MATTEO, E.; PRECIADO, M. V.; CHABAY, P.

JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY

AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY

Año: 2022 vol. 96

0022-538X

Macrophages can be polarized toward a proinflammatory phenotype (M1)(CD681) or to an anti-inflammatory one (M2) (CD1631). Polarization can be triggered bycytokines such as IFN-g for M1, or IL-10 and TGF-b, for M2. In the context of pediatricEpstein Barr virus (EBV) infection, little is known about macrophage polarization in EBVprimary or persistent infection. When studying tonsils of patients undergoing primaryinfection (PI), healthy carrier (HC), reactivation (R), and not infected (NI), M1 profile prevailedin all infection status. However, an increase in M2 cells was observed in thosepatients with broader expression of latency antigens, in particular EBNA2. Tonsils fromprimary infected patients showed an increased IL-10 expression, whereas, unexpectedly,TGF-b expression correlated with M1 marker. Furthermore, an inverse correlation wasdemonstrated between CD68 and IFN-g. Therefore, in the context of asymptomaticinfection in children, M1 macrophage polarization prevails, even in the presence of IL-10 and TGF-b immunomodulatory cytokines, and it might be independent from lymphomagenesisprocess. Our finding indicates that macrophages may have a significantplasticity in response to different types of extrinsic stimuli, and further studies arerequired to investigate M1 polarization under anti-inflammatory stimuli.