Autoantibodies in Viral Infections

Abstract

The immune system's ability to distinguish self from nonself is essential for initiating host defense against microbial antigens and protection of self-antigens from autoimmuneassociated destruction. Virus infections have been implicated in the initiation of multiple human autoimmune diseases. This chapter aims to summarize the main principles for some specific viral infections and the subsequent production of autoantibodies resulting in the initiation, progression, and perpetuation of autoimmune diseases. Various mechanisms by which virus infections can induce autoimmune responses including molecular mimicry and epitope spreading are discussed with respect to these viruses, and evidence implicating virus infections in the pathogenesis of various human autoimmune diseases is reviewed. A better understanding of the viral origin of autoimmune diseases is an important step in the identification of high-risk patients as well as designing prevention and disruption strategies.

Implications of Innate Immunity in Post-Acute Sequelae of Non-Persistent Viral Infections

“…Disturbance of adaptive and innate immune signaling pathways during an acute infection often results in transient autoimmune responses that in rare cases progresses into an established abnormal recognition of self-antigens, leading to auto-immune diseases [199]. Molecular mimicry in pathogens like viruses, i.e., having similar or structurally related epitopes as endogenous proteins, was suggested to be among the underlying causes [200].…”