Impaired late suppression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced immunoglobulin synthesis: A common feature of autoimmune disease

Abstract

We examined regulation of Epstein-Barr virus-induced plaque-forming cell generation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from several autoimmune and seronegative diseases and correlated these results with Epstein-Barr virus-induced proliferation. We confirmed the defective regulation of Epstein-Barr virus-induced plaque-forming cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with seronegative arthropathies and chronic infective inflammation (cystic fibrosis) had normal regulation of Epstein-Barr virus-induced plaque-forming cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from rheumatoid arthritis had excessive plaque-forming cell generation in the face of a normally regulated decrease in Epstein-Barr virus-induced proliferation. In contrast, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from scleroderma had defective suppression of both Epstein-Barr virus-induced proliferation and plaque-forming cell generation. Thus, impaired regulation of Epstein-Barr virus-induced plaque-forming cell generation is a common feature of autoimmune disease and demonstrates some specificity for these disorders.

Fresh Insights into Disease Etiology and the Role of Microbial Pathogens

“…A persistent widespread infection and frequent EBV reactivation was found in patients with SSc [18,21,[25][26][27][28][29]. While the hypothesis of molecular mimicry between several EBV antigens and self-antigens clearly links EBV infection to autoimmunity in SSc, there are mechanisms related to the viral pathology which make EBV unique in its contribution to the induction of autoimmunity [30].…”

Epstein-Barr Virus and Autoimmunity

“…Patients with scleroderma have defective T-cell control of EBV-infected B cells [62]. Progressive systemic sclerosis has developed in an infant five months after infectious mononucleosis [63].…”

Vaccines and Antiviral Drugs for Diseases Associated with the Epstein-Barr Virus

“…Patients with this disorder have elevated levels of anti-EBV antibodies 33 and decreased EBV-specific T cell cytotoxicity. 34 Other autoimmune disorders, such as autoimmune thyroid disease, 35 scleroderma, 36 autoimmune liver disease (primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis), 37 inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), 38 as well as cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis 39 are also associated with EBV. Patients with any of these disorders all have increased EBV DNA loads and increased serum levels of anti-EBV antibodies.…”