Near absence of IL-15R-alpha T-cells in EBV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma patients

8087 Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (+) Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) has been linked to acute infectious mononucleosis (AIM). EBV-associated AIM was recently reported (Sauce et al, Blood 2006, 108: 11) to be associated with a long lasting immunologic scar (near complete absence of IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Ra expression on T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)). We sought to confirm the scar observation and to determine whether such a scar might also be characteristic of EBV (+) HL patients. Methods: PBMCs from 5 donors with history of AIM (3 months to 4 years before), 10 EBV-seropositive donors without history of AIM, 10 EBV-seronegative donors, 22 HL patients with EBV (+) tumors and 29 HL patients with EBV (-) tumors were assayed to determine IL-15Ra expression on CD3/CD8+ cells using a FACScalibur flow cytometer. Results: IL-15Ra expression in healthy donors with history of AIM [mean: 2.9% (1.5–6.5%)] was much lower than in those without history of AIM [mean: 83% (65–98%)] (p = 0.001)....