Pre-B-Cell Colony Formation Assay

Latent membrane protein 2A (LMP-2A) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) mimics a constitutively active B-cell receptor (BCR) and plays a key role in viral latency and EBV pathogenesis. By functioning as a BCR mimic, LMP-2A drives B-cell development, resulting in the bypass of normal B-cell developmental checkpoints. To assess the function of LMP-2A, we have utilized a colony formation assay for the progenitor B cells that uses the B-cell proliferation factor IL-7.