Investigation of the Involvement of HHV-6 Encoded Viral Chemokine Receptors in Autoimmune Thyroiditis Development

Abstract

The study of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) involvement in autoimmunity development is very challenging, due to the complex nature of this virus. HHV-6 is a ubiquitous, lifelong persistent, and immunomodulating virus, which mainly spreads in solid tissues using cell-to-cell mechanics, and thus can escape from the host’s immune response.

Antiviral therapy in DRESS

“…3 Such HHV-6 encoded proteins have recently been shown to serve as antigens that elicit a strong immune response, potentially contributing to sequelae such as autoimmunity or immune dysregulation, the latter of which is a hallmark of DRESS. 3 HHV-6 reactivation is significantly linked not only to DRESS severity, long-term sequelae, increased flares, and increased fever likelihood and duration, 2,4 but also to upregulation of the interferon-gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10)/CXCR3 axis, a pathway involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. 5 Additionally, Mitsui et al demonstrated that OX40 (CD134), another proinflammatory cytokine, is upregulated in DRESS but not Stevens−Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, or other controls, and is associated with increased DRESS severity.…”

“…2 HHV-6 is a highly seropositive (>90%) lymphotropic herpesvirus that possesses immunomodulating properties, including the ability to encode viral chemokines or chemokine receptors. 3 Such HHV-6 encoded proteins have recently been shown to serve as antigens that elicit a strong immune response, potentially contributing to sequelae such as autoimmunity or immune dysregulation, the latter of which is a hallmark of DRESS. 3 HHV-6 reactivation is significantly linked not only to DRESS severity, long-term sequelae, increased flares, and increased fever likelihood and duration, 2,4 but also to upregulation of the interferon-gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10)/CXCR3 axis, a pathway involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease.…”