Antibodies to early EBV, CMV, and HHV6 antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Abstract

ObjectivesWe investigated the antibody levels against early antigens of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and healthy controls, and further correlated these antibodies to haematology/biochemistry, serology, and disease activity measures.MethodImmunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG, and IgA levels against the DNA polymerase processivity factors of EBV, CMV, and HHV6, termed early antigen diffuse (EA/D), pp52, and p41, respectively, were determined in plasma samples from 77 SLE patients and 29 healthy controls by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).ResultsIgM, IgG, and IgA levels against EBV EA/D, and IgG and IgA levels against CMV pp52, were significantly higher in SLE patients compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, EBV EA/D- and CMV pp52-directed IgG levels were inversely and positively associated, respectively, with lymphocyte counts in SLE patients. None of the findings seemed to be associated with use of immunosuppressive medication.ConclusionsOur results suggest strong, but opposite, associations of lytic EBV and CMV infections with SLE. The amplified humoral responses to EBV EA/D and CMV pp52 in our SLE patient cohort probably reflect aberrant control of EBV and CMV reactivation. However, reactivation of EBV appeared to correlate with lymphopenic manifestations in SLE patients whereas CMV reactivation seemed to correlate with increments in lymphocyte levels.

The autoimmunity–oral microbiome connection

“…Similar mechanisms of structural or functional molecular mimicry may be in effect with other viral infections too, the end result being the induction of cross‐reactive immune responses to self‐antigens (Francis and Perl, ). For example, increased levels of antibodies against CMV appear to indicate a role for CMV reactivation in the development of SLE (Draborg et al , ; Rasmussen et al , ). On the other hand, other microorganisms, such as malaria, Toxoplasma gondii, and Helicobacter pylori, may play a protective role ameliorating SLE symptoms (Francis and Perl, ).…”

Malignancies in systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Epstein-Barr viral load, mRNA expression and EBV-directed antibodies have all been shown to be elevated in SLE [12]. Rasmussen et al recently demonstrated that IgM, IgG, and IgA levels against EBV early antigen/diffuse (EA/D) were significantly higher in SLE patients, which they suggest may be related to aberrant control of EBV reactivation in these patients [13]. Hanlon et al, in a recent meta-analysis including 25 case-control studies, demonstrated a higher prevalence of anti-viral capsid antigen (anti-VCA) IgG (OR 2.08, 95% CI, 1.15, 3.76) in SLE patients [14].…”

Méningite lymphocytaire chez une patiente lupique révélant un lymphome cérébral primitif : une association rare

“…Plusieurs études ont suggéré le rôle potentiel de l'EBV dans la survenue de LES et la prolifération lymphocytaire [27]. Certains cas de lymphomes-EBV induits associés à des maladies auto-immunes (polyarthrite rhumatoïde et dermatomyosite) ayant régressé à l'arrêt du traitement immunosuppresseur ont été rapportés [28].…”