Epstein-Barr virus in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis—association and causation.
Epidemiological data suggest that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, it is not clear whether EBV plays a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases, and if so, by which mechanisms the virus may contribute. In this review, we discuss possible viral and immunological mechanisms that might explain associations between EBV and autoimmune diseases and whether these associations represent causes or effects of inflammation and autoimmunity.
Institute of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. andreas.lossius@rr-research.no
Andreas
A
Lossius
Jorunn N
JN
Johansen
Øivind
Ø
Torkildsen
Frode
F
Vartdal
Trygve
T
Holmøy
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology