EBV infection selectively affects cells undergoing differentiation into DCs.

(A) Recovery of uninfected and EBV-infected cells cultured in the absence of GM-CSF and IL-4. Results are from 1 of 4 representative experiments. (B) Complete differentiation into immature DCs is associated with resistance to the inhibitory effect of the virus. Cells cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 were infected with EBV at different days of culture. Cell recovery was monitored at indicated time points after infection and was expressed as a percentage relative to uninfected controls to compensate for cell loss always observed in DC cultures with prolonged incubation. Mean values obtained from 3 independent experiments are shown.