Epstein-Barr virus and rheumatoid arthritis: is there a link?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic, destructive, debilitating arthritis. Its etiology is unknown; it is presumed that environmental factors trigger development in the genetically predisposed. Epstein-Barr virus, a nearly ubiquitous virus in the human population, has generated great interest as a potential trigger. This virus stimulates polyclonal lymphocyte expansion and persists within B lymphocytes for the host's life, inhibited from reactivating by the immune response. In latent and replicating forms, it has immunomodulating actions that could play a role in the development of this autoimmune disease. The evidence linking Epstein-Barr virus and rheumatoid arthritis is reviewed.
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. KCostenbader@Partners.org
Karen H
KH
Costenbader
Elizabeth W
EW
Karlson
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000821:virology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; D006801:Humans