A 15-year-old girl develops malaise, headache, and low-grade fever, followed by pharyngitis and cervical lymph node enlargement as a result of infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Her acute symptoms resolve within 2 weeks, and the fatigue improves within 3 months. Following the primary infection described in this patient, the patient's subsequent exposure to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) will trigger clonal expansion of EBV-specific T cells expressing which one of the following surface molecules?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

After primary infection, subsequent exposure to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (i.e., secondary infection) will trigger clonal expansion of EBV-specific memory T cells. Memory T cells express CD45RO. CD45RA is expressed on naive human T cells. CD62L, or L-selectin, is a peripheral lymph node homing receptor that is expressed at high levels on naive T lymphocytes but not on activated or memory T lymphocytes. CD44 is an adhesion molecule that is expressed at low levels on naive T lymphocytes and at high levels on activated and memory T lymphocytes. CD21 is actually the EBV receptor, but it is expressed on B cells (and follicular dendritic cells). It normally functions as a coreceptor to deliver activating signals in B cells.

A 15-Year-Old Girl Develops Malaise, Headache, and Low-Grade Fever, Followed