Epstein-Barr Virus and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Dry eye disease caused by viral infection: Past, present and future

Following viral infection, the innate immune system senses viral products, such as viral nucleic acids, to activate innate defence pathways, leading to inflammation and apoptosis, control of cell proliferation, and consequently, threat to the whole body. The ocular surface is exposed to the external environment and extremely vulnerable to viral infection. Several studies have revealed that viral infection can induce inflammation of the ocular surface and reduce tear secretion of the lacrimal gland (LG), consequently triggering ocular morphological and functional changes and resulting in dry eye disease (DED). Understanding the mechanisms of DED caused by viral infection and its potential therapeutic strategies are crucial for clinical interventional advances in DED. This review summarizes the roles of viral infection in the pathogenesis of DED, applicable diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, and potential regions of future studies.

Aquaporin-3 is down-regulated by LMP1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to regulate cell migration and affect EBV latent infection

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has a strong correlation with the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Aquaporin 3 (AQP3), a member of the aquaporin family, plays an important role in tumor development, especially in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In this study, the expression of AQP3 in EBV-positive NPC cells was significantly lower than that in EBV-negative NPC cells. Western blot and qRT-PCR analysis showed that LMP1 down-regulated the expression of AQP3 by activating the ERK pathway. Cell biology experiments have confirmed that AQP3 affects the development of tumor by promoting cell migration and proliferation in NPC cells. In addition, AQP3 can promote the lysis of EBV in EBV-positive NPC cells. The inhibition of AQP3 expression by EBV through LMP1 may be one of the mechanisms by which EBV maintains latent infection-induced tumor progression.

Fluoride induces immunotoxicity by regulating riboflavin transport and metabolism partly through IL-17A in the spleen

The impairment of the immune system by fluoride is a public health concern worldwide, yet the underlying mechanism is unclear. Both riboflavin and IL-17A are closely related to immune function and regulate the testicular toxicity of fluoride. However, whether riboflavin or IL-17A is involved in fluoride-induced immunotoxicity is unknown. Here, we first established a male ICR mouse model by treating mice with sodium fluoride (NaF) (100 mg/L) via the drinking water for 91 days. The results showed that fluoride increased the expression of the proinflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-17A, which led to splenic inflammation and morphological injury. Moreover, the expression levels of the riboflavin transporters SLC52A2 and SLC52A3; the transformation-related enzymes RFK and FLAD1; and the key mitochondrial functional determinants SDH, COX, and ATP in the spleen were measured via real-time PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA. The results revealed that fluoride disrupted riboflavin transport, transformation, metabolism, and mitochondrial function. Furthermore, wild-type (WT) and IL-17A knockout (IL-17A-/-) C57BL/6 J male mice of the same age were treated with NaF (24 mg/kg·bw, equivalent to 100 mg/L) and/or riboflavin sodium phosphate (5 mg/kg·bw) via gavage for 91 days. Similar parameters were evaluated as above. The results confirmed that fluoride increased riboflavin metabolism through RFK but not through FLAD1. Fluoride also affected mitochondrial function and activated neutrophils (marked with Ly6g) and macrophages (marked with CD68) in the spleen. Interestingly, IL-17A partly mediated fluoride-induced riboflavin metabolism disorder and immunotoxicity in the spleen. This work not only reveals a novel toxic mechanism for fluoride but also provides new clues for exploring the physiological function of riboflavin and for diagnosing and treating the toxic effects of fluoride in the environment.

Mechanistic Understanding of EBV+Lymphoproliferative Disease Development After Transplantation

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are among the most common malignant complications after transplantation, leading to a drastic reduction in patient survival rates. The majority of PTLDs are tightly linked to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV+PTLDs) and are the result of an uncontrolled proliferation of EBV-infected cells. However, although EBV infections are a common finding in transplant recipients, most patients with high EBV loads will never develop EBV+PTLD. Natural killer cells and EBV-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes are critical for controlling EBV-infected cells, and the impairment of these cytotoxic immune responses facilitates the unfettered proliferation of EBV-infected cells. Recent years have seen a considerable increase in available literature aiming to describe novel risk factors associated with the development of EBV+PTLD, which may critically relate to the strength of EBV-specific natural killer cell and EBV-CD8+ T lymphocyte responses. The accumulation of risk factors and the increased risk of developing EBV+PTLD go hand in hand. On the one hand, most of these risk factors, such as the level of immunosuppression or the EBV donor and recipient serologic mismatch, and distinct genetic risk factors are host related and affect cytotoxic EBV-specific immune responses. On the other hand, there is growing evidence that distinct EBV variants may have an increased malignant potential and are thus more likely to induce EBV+PTLD. Here, we aim to review, from a mechanistic point of view, the risk factors for EBV+PTLD in the host and the infecting EBV variants that may explain why only a minority of transplant recipients develop EBV+PTLD.

Auto-immuno-deficiency syndromes

Autoimmune diseases constitute a broad, heterogenous group with many diverse and often overlapping symptoms. Even so, they are traditionally classified as either systemic, rheumatic diseases or organ-directed diseases. Several theories exist about autoimmune diseases, including defective self-recognition, altered self, molecular mimicry, bystander activation and epitope spreading. While there is no consensus about these theories, it is generally accepted that genetic, pre-disposing factors in combination with environmental factors can result in autoimmune disease. The relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors varies between diseases, as does the significance of individual contributing factors within related diseases. Among the genetic factors, molecules involved in antigen (Ag) recognition, processing, and presentation stand out (e.g., MHC I and II) together with molecules involved in immune signaling and regulation of cellular interactions (i.e., immuno-phenotypes). Also, various immuno-deficiencies have been linked to development of autoimmune diseases. Among the environmental factors, infections (e.g., viruses) have attracted most attention, but factors modulating the immune system have also been the subject of much research (e.g., sunlight and vitamin D). Multiple sclerosis currently stands out due to a very strong and proven association with Epstein-Barr virus infection, notably in cases of late infection and in cases of EBV-associated mononucleosis. Thus, a common picture is emerging that both systemic and organ-directed autoimmune diseases may appropriately be described as auto-immuno-deficiency syndromes (AIdeSs), a concept that emphasizes and integrates existing knowledge on the role of immuno-deficiencies and chronic infections with development of overlapping disease syndromes with variable frequencies of autoantibodies and/or autoreactive T cells. This review integrates and exemplifies current knowledge on the interplay of genetically determined immuno-phenotypes and chronic infections in the development of AIdeSs.

Serum TLR2 and TLR9 in Prostate Cancer Patients in Relation to EBV Status

The relationship between Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and prostate cancer (PCa) is complex due to the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, which has been identified as a predisposing factor for some cancers, including PCa. The present study aims to investigate these complex links by examining the levels of selected TLRs and the potential impact of EBV infection on PCa. Therefore, we examined the serum of patients with PCa. The study compared EBV(+) patients to risk groups, the Gleason score (GS), and the T-trait. Additionally, the correlation between TLR and antibody levels was examined. The results indicated that higher levels of TLR-2 and TLR-9 were observed in more advanced PCa. The findings of this study may contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of viral infections in PCa and provide information on future strategies for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of these malignancies.

Association between Epstein-Barr virus reactivation and severe malaria in pregnant women living in a malaria-endemic region of Cameroon

Malaria kills nearly 619,000 people each year. Despite the natural immunity acquired to malaria, pregnant women and children under five die from severe forms of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Co-infection with acute Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection has been shown to suppress the anti-malarial humoral responses, but little is known about the impact of EBV reactivation on malaria-associated morbidity. This study investigated the association between EBV reactivation and malaria severity in pregnant women living in a malaria-endemic region in Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 pregnant women attending antenatal consultations in three health facilities in the West region of Cameroon. Malaria was diagnosed by microscopy, and Plasmodium species were identified by Nested PCR. Plasma samples were analyzed by ELISA for the presence of EBV nuclear antigen, EBV viral capsid antigen, and EBV early antigen to determine EBV reactivation. All statistics were performed using GraphPad Prism and SPSS software. The prevalence of malaria among pregnant women was 23.2%, of which 18.6% were P. falciparum mono-infections and 4.5% mixed infections (3.6% P. falciparum and P. malariae; 0.9% P. falciparum and P. ovale). 99.5% of the women were EBV seropositive, and 13.2% had EBV reactivation. Pregnant women with reactivated EBV were more likely to develop severe malaria than pregnant women with latent EBV (OR 4.33, 95% CI 1.08-17.25, p = 0.03). The median parasitemia in pregnant women with latent EBV was lower than in those with EBV reactivation (2816 vs. 19002 parasites/μL, p = 0.02). Our study revealed that lytic reactivation of EBV may be associated with the severity of malaria in pregnant women. Suggesting that, like acute infection, EBV reactivation should be considered a risk factor for severe malaria in pregnant women in malaria-endemic regions or could serve as a hallmark of malaria severity during pregnancy. Further detailed studies are needed.

Demonstration of Epstein-Barr Virus by In Situ Hybridization in Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas Developing on Background of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

AIM

This study aimed to demonstrate the role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) developing on the background of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT).

METHODS

The presence of EBV in tumoral tissue, lymphocytes, and peritumoral normal thyroid tissue was investigated using the in situ hybridization method in paraffin blocks. The subtypes of PTC, tumor diameter, TNM stage, multifocality, invasion of thyroid capsule, perineural invasion, and muscular tissue invasion were identified and compared according to EBV involvement.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients with HT diagnosis, with 93.8% (n=76) female and 6.2% (n=5) male, were included in the study. Papillary microcarcinoma was the pathological diagnosis in 24.2% (n=15) of the cases. EBV was identified in 58.06% (n=36) of the tumor cells nuclei, 58.06% (n=36) in the tumor cell cytoplasm, 16.12% (n=10) in tumor infiltrative lymphocytes, and 53.2% (n=33) in normal parenchymal follicle epithelial cells (NPFEC). In the T2 stage, the rate of EBV nuclear positivity in patients was significantly higher (p=0.034). The classic variant of papillary carcinoma was accompanied by a significantly higher rate of EBV-negative NPFEC (67.6%, p=0.049). In multifocal tumors, EBV positivity was found to be significantly higher in lymphocytes in the surrounding tissues (58.3%, p=0.034).

CONCLUSION

A significant increase in EBV positivity in the surrounding tissue lymphocytes was observed in multifocal PTC developing on a background of HT. This suggests a possible association between HT and EBV.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome: new perspectives on salivary gland epithelial cells

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily affecting exocrine glands such as the salivary glands, leading to impaired secretion and sicca symptoms. As the mainstay of salivation, salivary gland epithelial cells (SGECs) have an important role in the pathology of pSS. Emerging evidence suggests that the interplay between immunological factors and SGECs may not be the initial trigger or the sole mechanism responsible for xerostomia in pSS, challenging conventional perceptions. To deepen our understanding, current research regarding SGECs in pSS was reviewed. Among the extensive aberrations in cellular architecture and function, this review highlighted certain alterations of SGECs that were identified to occur independently of or in absence of lymphocytic infiltration. In particular, some of these alterations may serve as upstream factors of immuno-inflammatory responses. These findings underscore the significance of introspecting the pathogenesis of pSS and developing interventions targeting SGECs in the early stages of the disease.

Characterization of latently infected EBV+ antibody-secreting B cells isolated from ovarian tumors and malignant ascites

Introduction

Intra-tumoral B cells mediate a plethora of immune effector mechanisms with key roles in anti-tumor immunity and serve as positive prognostic indicators in a variety of solid tumor types, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Several aspects of intra-tumoral B cells remain unclear, such as their state of activation, antigenic repertoires, and capacity to mature into plasma cells.

Methods

B lymphocytes were isolated from primary EOC tissue and malignant ascites and were maintained in cell culture medium. The stably maintained cell lines were profiled with flow cytometry and B cell receptor sequencing. Secreted antibodies were tested with a human proteome array comprising more than 21,000 proteins, followed by ELISA for validation. Originating tumor samples were used for spatial profiling with chip cytometry.

Results

Antibody-secreting B lymphocytes were isolated from the ovarian tumor microenvironment (TME) of four different EOC patients. The highly clonal cell populations underwent spontaneous immortalization in vitro, were stably maintained in an antibody-secreting state, and showed presence of Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) proteins. All originating tumors had high frequency of tumor-infiltrating B cells, present as lymphoid aggregates, or tertiary lymphoid structures. The antigens recognized by three of the four cell lines are coil-coil domain containing protein 155 (CCDC155), growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2), and pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase2 (PDP2), respectively. Anti-CCDC155 circulating IgG antibodies were detected in 9 of 20 (45%) of EOC patients' sera. Tissue analyses with multiparameter chip cytometry shows that the antibodies secreted by these novel human B cell lines engage their cognate antigens on tumor cells.

Discussion

These studies demonstrate that within the tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte population in EOC resides a low frequency population of antibody-secreting B cells that have been naturally exposed to EBV. Once stably maintained, these novel cell lines offer unique opportunities for future studies on intratumor B cell biology and new target antigen recognition, and for studies on EBV latency and/or viral reactivation in the TME of non-EBV related solid tumors such as the EOC.

Epstein-Barr virus-encoded BART9 and BART15 miRNAs are elevated in exosomes of cerebrospinal fluid from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is approved as the main environmental trigger of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this path, we quantified ebv-miR-BART9-3p and ebv-miR-BART15 in exosomes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of untreated relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients in comparison with the control group. Interestingly, patients displayed significant upregulation of ebv-miR-BART9-3p (18.4-fold) and ebv-miR-BART15 (3.1-fold) expression in CSF exosomes. Moreover, the expression levels of hsa-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-146a-5p were found to be significantly elevated in the CSF samples obtained from the patient group compared to those obtained from the HC group. The levels of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-23 (IL-23), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were observed to be significantly elevated in the serum and CSF exosomes of the patients. The highest increase was observed in TGF-β (8.5-fold), followed by IL-23 (3.9-fold) in CSF exosomes. These findings are in agreement with the association between EBV infection and inflammatory cytokines induction. Furthermore, the ratios of TGF-β: TNF-α and TGF-β: IFN-γ attained values of 4 to 16.4 and 1.3 to 3.6, respectively, in the CSF exosomes of the patients, in comparison to those of the control group. These findings show EBV activity in RRMS patients is different from that of healthy ones. Elevation of ebv-miR-BART9-3p, ebv-miR-BART15, and inflammatory cytokines expression in CSF exosomes in RRMS patients provides a substantial link between EBV activity and the onset of the disease, as well as the transition from EBV infection to MS.

Targeting Epstein-Barr virus in multiple sclerosis: when and how?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Epidemiological evidence implicates Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, its biological role in the pathogenesis of MS is uncertain. The article provides an overview of the role of EBV in the pathogenesis of MS and makes a case for targeting EBV as a treatment strategy for MS.

RECENT FINDINGS

EBV potentially triggers autoimmunity via molecular mimicry or immune dysregulation. Another hypothesis, supported by immunological and virological data, indicates that active EBV infection via latent-lytic infection cycling within the central nervous system or periphery drives MS disease activity. This supports testing small molecule anti-EBV agents targeting both latent and lytic infection, central nervous system-penetrant B-cell therapies and EBV-targeted immunotherapies in MS. Immunotherapies may include EBV-specific cytotoxic or chimeric antigen receptors T-cells, therapeutic EBV vaccines and immune reconstitution therapies to boost endogenous EBV-targeted cytotoxic T-cell responses.

SUMMARY

EBV is the probable cause of MS and is likely to be driving MS disease activity via latent-lytic infection cycling. There is evidence that all licensed MS disease-modifying therapies target EBV, and there is a compelling case for testing other anti-EBV strategies as potential treatments for MS.

Infectious mononucleosis: new concepts in clinical presentation, epidemiology, and host response

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is an infectious disease that presents clinically in only a small percentage of individuals despite almost universal infection with the causative agent. Here, we review the latest concepts in the clinical presentation, epidemiology, and host response of this disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several recently published papers/reviews describe IM as a condition caused by one of several etiologic agents including, cytomegalovirus (HHV-5), Roseola virus (HHV-6) and Toxoplasmosis amongst others; this review focuses on IM as solely caused by the human herpes virus 4 (HHV-4). Since the initial discovery of the virus in the 1960s and its subsequent discovery as the primary etiologic agent for IM it has been associated with several human cancers and autoimmune disorders. Recent published findings show a correlation between HHV-4 and the autoimmune disorder, multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting earlier IM could possibly act as a causative factor. Considering the important links being made with IM to so many cancers and autoimmune disorders it is surprising that a standard investigative procedure has yet to be determined for this disease. A standard approach to the investigation of IM would ensure more cases are diagnosed, particularly atypical cases, this would benefit epidemiological studies, and more immediately help practitioners distinguish viral from bacterial throat infections, enabling them to treat accordingly.

SUMMARY

The understanding of the latest concepts in clinical presentation, epidemiology and host response to IM would benefit greatly from the introduction of a standard procedure for its investigation and diagnosis.

Development of EBV Related Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma in Deficiency of Adenosine Deaminase 2 with Uncontrolled EBV Infection

Deficiency of Adenosine Deaminase 2 (DADA2) patients presenting with primary immunodeficiency are at risk of uncontrolled EBV infection and secondary malignancies including EBV-related lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD). This paper describes the first case of EBV related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a patient with DADA2 and uncontrolled EBV infection. Consideration should be given to monitoring for EBV viraemia and to preventative EBV specific therapy in DADA2 and patients with at risk primary immunodeficiencies. A type I interferon (IFN) gene signature is associated with DADA2 though its association with immune dysregulation is unclear.

Histone methylation in Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to various human diseases, including both noncancerous conditions like infectious mononucleosis and cancerous diseases such as lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. After the initial infection, EBV establishes a lifelong presence and remains latent in specific cells. This latent infection causes changes in the epigenetic marks known as histone methylation. Many studies have examined the role of histone methylation in different EBV-associated diseases, and understanding how EBV affects histone methylation can help us identify potential targets for epigenetic therapies. This review focuses on the research progress made in understanding histone methylation in well-studied EBV-associated diseases, intending to provide insights into potential strategies based on histone methylation to combat EBV-related ailments.

Mitochondrial DNA Missense Mutations ChrMT: 8981A > G and ChrMT: 6268C > T Identified in a Caucasian Female with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Triggered by the Epstein-Barr Virus

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a multisystem disabling disease with unclear etiology and pathophysiology, whose typical symptoms include prolonged debilitating recovery from fatigue or postexertional malaise (PEM). Disrupted production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the intracellular energy that fuels cellular activity, is a cause for fatigue. Here, we present a long-term case of ME/CFS: a 75-year-old Caucasian female patient, whose symptoms of ME/CFS were clearly triggered by an acute infection of the Epstein-Barr virus 24 years ago (mononucleosis). Before then, the patient was a healthy professional woman. A recent DNA sequence analysis identified missense variants of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, including ATP6 (ChrMT: 8981A > G; Q152R) and Cox1 (ChrMT: 6268C > T; A122V). Protein subunits ATP6 and Cox1 are encoded by mitochondrial DNA outside of the nucleus: the Cox1 gene encodes subunit 1 of complex IV (CIV: cytochrome c oxidase) and the ATP6 gene encodes subunit A of complex V (CV: ATP synthase). CIV and CV are the last two of five essential enzymes that perform the mitochondrial electron transport respiratory chain reaction to generate ATP. Further analysis of the blood sample using transmission electron microscopy demonstrated abnormal, circulating, extracellular mitochondria. These results indicate that the patient had dysfunctional mitochondria, which may contribute directly to her major symptoms, including PEM and neurological and cognitive changes. Furthermore, the identified variants of ATP6 (ChrMT: 8981A > G; Q152R) and Cox1 (ChrMT: 6268C > T; A122V), functioning at a later stage of mitochondrial ATP production, may play a role in the abnormality of the patient's mitochondria and the development of her ME/CFS symptoms.

A retrospective cohort study of Epstein-Barr virus infection status and systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are very closely related. This study estimated the impact of EBV infection status on clinical manifestations and disease remission in patients with SLE.

METHOD

A retrospective study was performed using electronic health records of patients with SLE. The SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI-2 K) was used to assess disease activity. VCAIgM or EAIgM positive or EBVDNA copies ≥ 50 IU/mL were defined as lytic infection group, EBNA-IgG or VCAIgG-positive and who were negative for both VCAIgM and EAIgM with EBVDNA copies < 50 IU/mL were defined as the latent infection group. The endpoint (disease remission) was defined as a decrease in SLEDAI-2 K score of ≥ 1 grade or ≥ 4 points from baseline. The association between EBV infection status and disease remission was assessed using propensity score weighting and multivariable Cox regression models.

RESULTS

There were 75 patients with SLE in the EBV lytic infection group and 142 patients in the latent infection group. The SLEDAI-2 K score was higher in the lytic infection group (10.00 (6.25, 16.00) vs. 8.00 (5.00, 10.00), Z = 3.96, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the effect of EBV lytic infection on disease remission compared to latent infection (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.19-0.49, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SLE with lytic EBV infection have higher disease activity and take longer to achieve remission. Our study furthers our understanding of the relationship between SLE and EBV infection and may inform better treatment practices in the future.

Diagnosis of an immunocompetent adult with acute headache and fever as Epstein-Barr virus encephalitis by mNGS of cerebrospinal fluid

Complicated case with fever or headache of unknown origin is currently one of the main challenges in clinical diagnosis. A retrospective analysis was conducted on a 27-year-old female patient hospitalized with headache and fever, and the pathogen species were ultimately determined by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The culture results of CSF showed no bacterial or fungal growth. CSF cytology showed a significant increase in nucleated cells. Pathogenic index (corresponded to human gamma herpesvirus 4) of the microorganism after correcting for human background was 12846.77 with a host index (human resource) of 27822.48 by mNGS of CSF. The patient improved through antiviral treatment with ganciclovir. Epstein-Barr virus encephalitis is rare in immunocompetent adults, which can easily cause misdiagnosis and should be paid attention to. mNGS of CSF has significant advantages in the diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus encephalitis.

The role of Epstein-Barr virus in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a dsDNA herpesvirus, is believed to play a significant role in exacerbating and potentially triggering autoimmune and autoinflammatory maladies. Around 90% of the world is infected with the virus, which establishes latency within lymphocytes. EBV is also known to cause infectious mononucleosis, a self-limited flu-like illness, in adolescents. EBV is often reactivated and it employs several mechanisms of evading the host immune system. It has also been implicated in inducing host immune dysfunction potentially resulting in exacerbation or triggering of inflammatory processes. EBV has therefore been linked to a number of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's syndrome. The review examines the molecular mechanisms through which the virus alters host immune system components thus possibly resulting in autoimmune processes. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning EBV-associated autoimmunity is pivotal; however, the precise causal pathways remain elusive. Research on therapeutic agents and vaccines for EBV has been stagnant for a long number of years until recent advances shed light on potential therapeutic targets. The implications of EBV in autoimmunity underscore the importance of developing targeted therapeutic strategies and, potentially, vaccines to mitigate the autoimmune burden associated with this ubiquitous virus.

Evaluation of serum Epstein-Barr virus envelope glycoproteins antibodies and their association with systemic autoimmune diseases

Systemic autoimmune diseases (SADs) are a growing spectrum of autoimmune disorders that commonly affect multiple organs. The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection or reactivation as a trigger for the initiation and progression of SADs has been established, while the relationship between EBV envelope glycoproteins and SADs remains unclear. Here, we assessed the levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM against EBV glycoproteins (including gp350, gp42, gHgL, and gB) in serum samples obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and found that RA and SLE patients exhibited a statistically significant increase in the levels of 8 and 11 glycoprotein antibodies, respectively, compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). The LASSO model identified four factors as significant diagnostic markers for RA: gp350 IgG, gp350 IgA, gHgL IgM, and gp42 IgA; whereas for SLE it included gp350 IgG, gp350 IgA, gHgL IgA, and gp42 IgM. Combining these selected biomarkers yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.749 for RA and 0.843 for SLE. We subsequently quantified the levels of autoantibodies associated with SADs in mouse sera following immunization with gp350. Remarkably, none of the tested autoantibody levels exhibited statistically significant alterations. Elevation of glycoprotein antibody concentration suggests that Epstein-Barr virus reactivation and replication occurred in SADs patients, potentially serving as a promising biomarker for diagnosing SADs. Moreover, the absence of cross-reactivity between gp350 antibodies and SADs-associated autoantigens indicates the safety profile of a vaccine based on gp350 antigen.

Epstein-Barr Virus Infection-Associated Facial Swelling: A Case Report

Maxillofacial soft tissue swelling is a common clinical symptom with various etiologies. While odontogenic space infection is the most common cause, it is crucial not to overlook maxillofacial swellings caused by specific pathogenic infections and other local factors. This paper reports the case of an adult patient with right-sided swelling of his face, persistent oral mucosal ulcers, and recurrent hyperthermia for 30 days. He had received various antibiotics for the initial diagnosis of "right buccal space infection," but the antibiotics did not have any effect on his symptoms. None of the blood tests, histological examinations, bone marrow biopsies, and immune-related tests produced diagnostic findings. A diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was finally confirmed by biopsy tissue genomics sequencing and quantitative analysis of EBV nucleic acid. In this report, we describe the diagnosis and treatment process for this patient and suggest that facial swelling could be an important clinical symptom of EBV infection.

Novel plasma microRNA expression features in diagnostic use for Epstein-Barr virus-associated febrile diseases

Background

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is widely infected in humans and causes various diseases. Among them, microRNAs of EBV play a key role in the progression of EBV-associated febrile diseases. There're few specific indicators for rapid differential diagnosis of various febrile diseases associated with EBV, and the lack of more reliable screening methods with high diagnostic utility has led to spaces for improvement in the accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment of relevant patients, making EBV infection a complicated clinical problem. With recent advances in plasma microRNA testing, the apparent presence of EBV microRNAs in plasma can help screen for EBV infection. The gene networks targeted by these microRNAs can also indicate potential biomarkers of EBV-associated febrile diseases. This study aimed to identify some novel miRNAs as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of respectively EBV-associated febrile diseases.

Materials and methods

A total of 110 participants were recruited for this task. First, we performed high-throughput sequencing and preliminary PCR validation of differentially expressed miRNAs in 15 participants with EBV-associated fever (divided into common EBV carriers), infectious mononucleosis (IM) and chronic active EBV infection (CAEBV), EBV-associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis group (EBV-HLH), and 3 healthy individuals. After a comprehensive analysis, 10 miRNAs with abnormal expression were screened, and then qRT-PCR was performed in the rest of 95 participants to detect the validation of miRNAs expression in plasma samples. Thereafter, we further investigated their potential for clinical application in EBV-related febrile diseases by using a combination of Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, and Protein-protein interaction network analysis.

Results

Through identification and detailed analysis of the obtained data, we found significant differences in the expression of Hsa-miR-320d, EBV-miR-BART22, and EBV-miR-BART2-3p in blood samples from patients with different EBV-related febrile diseases. We found that the expression levels of Hsa-miR-320d, EBV-miR-BART22, and EBV-miR-BART2-3p in plasma are indicative of determining different disease types of EBV-related febrile diseases, while EBV-miR-BART22 and EBV-miR-BART2-3p may be potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusion

The expression levels of Hsa-miR-320d, EBV-miR-BART22, and EBV-miR-BART2-3p suggest that they may be used as transcriptional features for early differential diagnosis of EBV-related febrile diseases, and EBV-miR-BART22 and EBV-miR-BART2-3p may be potential therapeutic targets.

Shared and distinct interactions of type 1 and type 2 Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 2 with the human genome

BACKGROUND

There are two major genetic types of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): type 1 (EBV-1) and type 2 (EBV-2). EBV functions by manipulating gene expression in host B cells, using virus-encoded gene regulatory proteins including Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 2 (EBNA2). While type 1 EBNA2 is known to interact with human transcription factors (hTFs) such as RBPJ, EBF1, and SPI1 (PU.1), type 2 EBNA2 shares only ~ 50% amino acid identity with type 1 and thus may have distinct binding partners, human genome binding locations, and functions.

RESULTS

In this study, we examined genome-wide EBNA2 binding in EBV-1 and EBV-2 transformed human B cells to identify shared and unique EBNA2 interactions with the human genome, revealing thousands of type-specific EBNA2 ChIP-seq peaks. Computational predictions based on hTF motifs and subsequent ChIP-seq experiments revealed that both type 1 and 2 EBNA2 co-occupy the genome with SPI1 and AP-1 (BATF and JUNB) hTFs. However, type 1 EBNA2 showed preferential co-occupancy with EBF1, and type 2 EBNA2 preferred RBPJ. These differences in hTF co-occupancy revealed possible mechanisms underlying type-specific gene expression of known EBNA2 human target genes: MYC (shared), CXCR7 (type 1 specific), and CD21 (type 2 specific). Both type 1 and 2 EBNA2 binding events were enriched at systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS) risk loci, while primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) risk loci were specifically enriched for type 2 peaks.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals extensive type-specific EBNA2 interactions with the human genome, possible differences in EBNA2 interaction partners, and a possible new role for type 2 EBNA2 in autoimmune disorders. Our results highlight the importance of considering EBV type in the control of human gene expression and disease-related investigations.

How persistent infection overcomes peripheral tolerance mechanisms to cause T cell-mediated autoimmune disease

T cells help orchestrate immune responses to pathogens, and their aberrant regulation can trigger autoimmunity. Recent studies highlight that a threshold number of T cells (a quorum) must be activated in a tissue to mount a functional immune response. These collective effects allow the T cell repertoire to respond to pathogens while suppressing autoimmunity due to circulating autoreactive T cells. Our computational studies show that increasing numbers of pathogenic peptides targeted by T cells during persistent or severe viral infections increase the probability of activating T cells that are weakly reactive to self-antigens (molecular mimicry). These T cells are easily re-activated by the self-antigens and contribute to exceeding the quorum threshold required to mount autoimmune responses. Rare peptides that activate many T cells are sampled more readily during severe/persistent infections than in acute infections, which amplifies these effects. Experiments in mice to test predictions from these mechanistic insights are suggested.

Sex differences in symptomatology and immune profiles of Long COVID

Strong sex differences in the frequencies and manifestations of Long COVID (LC) have been reported with females significantly more likely than males to present with LC after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection 1-7 . However, whether immunological traits underlying LC differ between sexes, and whether such differences explain the differential manifestations of LC symptomology is currently unknown. Here, we performed sex-based multi-dimensional immune-endocrine profiling of 165 individuals 8 with and without LC in an exploratory, cross-sectional study to identify key immunological traits underlying biological sex differences in LC. We found that female and male participants with LC experienced different sets of symptoms, and distinct patterns of organ system involvement, with female participants suffering from a higher symptom burden. Machine learning approaches identified differential sets of immune features that characterized LC in females and males. Males with LC had decreased frequencies of monocyte and DC populations, elevated NK cells, and plasma cytokines including IL-8 and TGF-β-family members. Females with LC had increased frequencies of exhausted T cells, cytokine-secreting T cells, higher antibody reactivity to latent herpes viruses including EBV, HSV-2, and CMV, and lower testosterone levels than their control female counterparts. Testosterone levels were significantly associated with lower symptom burden in LC participants over sex designation. These findings suggest distinct immunological processes of LC in females and males and illuminate the crucial role of immune-endocrine dysregulation in sex-specific pathology.

Investigating the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus infection and gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and Aims

Gastric cancer (GC) is a common cancer type worldwide, and various factors can be involved in its occurrence. One of these factors is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. In this regard, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to achieve a better understanding of the EBV prevalence in GC samples.

Methods

English databases were searched and studies that reported the prevalence and etiological factors of EBV related to GC from July 2007 to November 2022 were retrieved. The reported data were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of EBV infection with 95% confidence intervals was calculated. Quality assessment, heterogeneity testing, and publication bias assessment were also performed. The literature search showed 953 studies, of which 87 studies met our inclusion criteria and were used for meta-analysis.

Results

The pooled prevalence of EBV infection related to GC was estimated to be 9.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.2%-11%) in the general population. The prevalence of EBV infection related to GC by gender was 13.5% (95% CI: 11.1%-16.3%) in males and 7.6% (95% CI: 5.4%-10.6%) in females. No significant differences were observed in terms of geographical region. Out of the 87 studies included in the meta-analysis, the most common diagnostic test was in situ hybridization (58 cases).

Conclusions

Altogether, the results indicated that EBV infection is one of the important factors in the development of GC. However, this does not necessarily mean that EBV infection directly causes GC since other factors may also be involved in the development of GC. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct extensive epidemiological studies on various aspects of the relationship between this virus and GC, which can provide valuable information for understanding the relationship between EBV and GC.

Burkitt's lymphoma in a young boy progressing to systemic lupus erythematosus during follow-up: a case report and literature review

Introduction

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at a higher risk of developing cancer, particularly hematological malignancies such as lymphoma and leukemia. However, existing studies on this topic that assess cancer incidence following SLE diagnosis are limited. In addition, SLE can be diagnosed after cancer, although such cases in children have been rarely reported.

Case report

We present the case of a 2.6-year-old boy who presented to our institute with fever and abdominal pain. His physical examination revealed a periumbilical mass, which was pathologically diagnosed as Burkitt's lymphoma. Autologous stem cell transplantation was performed to consolidate the effect of chemotherapy and reduce the risk of cancer relapse. He was diagnosed with SLE 5 years later, following the presentation of a fever with rash, positive autoantibodies, decreased complement, and kidney involvement. At the final follow-up, the patient was still alive and showed no recurrence of Burkitt's lymphoma or disease activity of SLE.

Conclusion

Despite the low frequency of SLE in children with lymphoma, cancer and SLE may be induced by a common mechanism involving B-cell cloning and proliferation. Therefore, hematologists and rheumatologists should be aware of the occurrence of these two conditions during patient follow-up.

Primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma with cerebrospinal fluid EBV positivity: A case report and mini literature review

Background

To summarize the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positivity (determined by next-generation sequencing), review the relevant literature, and explore the significance of EBV presence in the CSF of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods

A patient presenting with headache as the initial symptom was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and admitted to the Eighth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital on March 3, 2021. Available databases were screened for reports on nasopharyngeal carcinoma with EBV-positive CSF and analyzed. The patients' general information, initial symptoms, treatment, and prognosis were subsequently evaluated.

Results

EBV-positive CSF is commonly observed in patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, no reports of EBV-positive CSF in patients with primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma have been published to date.

Conclusion

The presence of EBV in the CSF of patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma is indicative of a poor prognosis. Thus, newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients should undergo a lumbar puncture as soon as possible to have their CSF tested for EBV. Such a measure would promptly predict the prognosis and facilitate the development of a personalized treatment strategy.

New sights of low dose IL-2: Restoration of immune homeostasis for viral infection

Viral infection poses a significant threat to human health. In addition to the damage caused by viral replication, the immune response it triggers often leads to more serious adverse consequences. After the occurrence of viral infection, in addition to the adverse consequences of infection, chronic infections can also lead to virus-related autoimmune diseases and tumours. At the same time, the immune response triggered by viral infection is complex, and dysregulated immune response may lead to the occurrence of immune pathology and macrophage activation syndrome. In addition, it may cause secondary immune suppression, especially in patients with compromised immune system, which could lead to the occurrence of secondary infections by other pathogens. This can often result in more severe clinical outcomes. Therefore, regarding the treatment of viral infections, restoring the balance of the immune system is crucial in addition to specific antiviral medications. In recent years, scientists have made an interesting finding that low dose IL-2 (ld-IL-2) could potentially have a crucial function in regulating the immune system and reducing the chances of infection, especially viral infection. Ld-IL-2 exerts immune regulatory effects in different types of viral infections by modulating CD4+ T subsets, CD8+ T cells, natural killer cells, and so on. Our review summarised the role of IL-2 or IL-2 complexes in viral infections. Ld-IL-2 may be an effective strategy for enhancing host antiviral immunity and preventing infection from becoming chronic; additionally, the appropriate use of it can help prevent excessive inflammatory response after infection. In the long term, it may reduce the occurrence of infection-related autoimmune diseases and tumours by promoting the restoration of early immune homeostasis. Furthermore, we have also summarised the application of ld-IL-2 in the context of autoimmune diseases combined with viral infections; it may be a safe and effective strategy for restoring immune homeostasis without compromising the antiviral immune response. In conclusion, focusing on the role of ld-IL-2 in viral infections may provide a new perspective for regulating immune responses following viral infections and improving prognosis.

When inflammatory stressors dramatically change, disease phenotypes may transform between autoimmune hematopoietic failure and myeloid neoplasms

Aplastic anemia (AA) and hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome are paradigms of autoimmune hematopoietic failure (AHF). Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia are unequivocal myeloid neoplasms (MNs). Currently, AA is also known to be a clonal hematological disease. Genetic aberrations typically observed in MNs are detected in approximately one-third of AA patients. In AA patients harboring MN-related genetic aberrations, a poor response to immunosuppressive therapy (IST) and an increased risk of transformation to MNs occurring either naturally or after IST are predicted. Approximately 10%-15% of patients with severe AA transform the disease phenotype to MNs following IST, and in some patients, leukemic transformation emerges during or shortly after IST. Phenotypic transformations between AHF and MNs can occur reciprocally. A fraction of advanced MN patients experience an aplastic crisis during which leukemic blasts are repressed. The switch that shapes the disease phenotype is a change in the strength of extramedullary inflammation. Both AHF and MNs have an immune-active bone marrow (BM) environment (BME). In AHF patients, an inflamed BME can be evoked by infiltrated immune cells targeting neoplastic molecules, which contributes to the BM-specific autoimmune impairment. Autoimmune responses in AHF may represent an antileukemic mechanism, and inflammatory stressors strengthen antileukemic immunity, at least in a significant proportion of patients who have MN-related genetic aberrations. During active inflammatory episodes, normal and leukemic hematopoieses are suppressed, which leads to the occurrence of aplastic cytopenia and leukemic cell regression. The successful treatment of underlying infections mitigates inflammatory stress-related antileukemic activities and promotes the penetration of leukemic hematopoiesis. The effect of IST is similar to that of treating underlying infections. Investigating inflammatory stress-powered antileukemic immunity is highly important in theoretical studies and clinical practice, especially given the wide application of immune-activating agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of hematological neoplasms.

Epstein-Barr virus: the mastermind of immune chaos

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human pathogen linked to various diseases, including infectious mononucleosis and multiple types of cancer. To control and eliminate EBV, the host's immune system deploys its most potent defenses, including pattern recognition receptors, Natural Killer cells, CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, among others. The interaction between EBV and the human immune system is complex and multifaceted. EBV employs a variety of strategies to evade detection and elimination by both the innate and adaptive immune systems. This demonstrates EBV's mastery of navigating the complexities of the immunological landscape. Further investigation into these complex mechanisms is imperative to advance the development of enhanced therapeutic approaches with heightened efficacy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various mechanisms known to date, employed by the EBV to elude the immune response, while establishing enduring latent infections or instigate its lytic replication.

Viral DNAemia and DNA Virus Seropositivity and Mortality in Pediatric Sepsis

Importance

Sepsis is a leading cause of pediatric mortality. Little attention has been paid to the association between viral DNA and mortality in children and adolescents with sepsis.

Objective

To assess the association of the presence of viral DNA with sepsis-related mortality in a large multicenter study.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study compares pediatric patients with and without plasma cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), parvovirus B19 (B19V), BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), human adenovirus (HAdV), and torque teno virus (TTV) DNAemia detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or plasma IgG antibodies to CMV, EBV, HSV-1, or HHV-6. A total of 401 patients younger than 18 years with severe sepsis were enrolled from 9 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network. Data were collected from 2015 to 2018. Samples were assayed from 2019 to 2022. Data were analyzed from 2022 to 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Death while in the PICU.

Results

Among the 401 patients included in the analysis, the median age was 6 (IQR, 1-12) years, and 222 (55.4%) were male. One hundred fifty-four patients (38.4%) were previously healthy, 108 (26.9%) were immunocompromised, and 225 (56.1%) had documented infection(s) at enrollment. Forty-four patients (11.0%) died in the PICU. Viral DNAemia with at least 1 virus (excluding TTV) was detected in 191 patients (47.6%) overall, 63 of 108 patients (58.3%) who were immunocompromised, and 128 of 293 (43.7%) who were not immunocompromised at sepsis onset. After adjustment for age, Pediatric Risk of Mortality score, previously healthy status, and immunocompromised status at sepsis onset, CMV (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.01 [95% CI, 1.36-6.45]; P = .007), HAdV (AOR, 3.50 [95% CI, 1.46-8.09]; P = .006), BKPyV (AOR. 3.02 [95% CI, 1.17-7.34]; P = .02), and HHV-6 (AOR, 2.62 [95% CI, 1.31-5.20]; P = .007) DNAemia were each associated with increased mortality. Two or more viruses were detected in 78 patients (19.5%), with mortality among 12 of 32 (37.5%) who were immunocompromised and 9 of 46 (19.6%) who were not immunocompromised at sepsis onset. Herpesvirus seropositivity was common (HSV-1, 82 of 246 [33.3%]; CMV, 107 of 254 [42.1%]; EBV, 152 of 251 [60.6%]; HHV-6, 253 if 257 [98.4%]). After additional adjustment for receipt of blood products in the PICU, EBV seropositivity was associated with increased mortality (AOR, 6.10 [95% CI, 1.00-118.61]; P = .049).

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study suggest that DNAemia for CMV, HAdV, BKPyV, and HHV-6 and EBV seropositivity were independently associated with increased sepsis mortality. Further investigation of the underlying biology of these viral DNA infections in children with sepsis is warranted to determine whether they only reflect mortality risk or contribute to mortality.

[Anything that can go wrong: cytotoxic cells and their control of Epstein-Barr virus]

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an gamma of herpes virus affecting exclusively humans, was the first oncogenic virus described and is associated with over seven different cancers. Curiously, the exchange of genes during viral infections has enabled the evolution of other cellular organisms, favoring new functions and the survival of the host. EBV has been co-evolving with mammals for hundreds of millions of years, and more than 95% of adults have been infected in one moment of their life. The infection is acquired primarily during childhood, in most cases as an asymptomatic infection. However, during adolescence or young adulthood, around 10 to 30% develop infectious mononucleosis. The NK and CD8+ T cells are the cytotoxic cells of the immune system that focus on antiviral responses. Importantly, an essential role of NK and CD8+ T cells has been demonstrated during the control and elimination of EBV-infected cells. Nonetheless, when the cytotoxic function of these cells is compromised, the infection increases the risk of developing lymphoproliferative diseases and cancer, often fatal. In this review, we delineate EBV infection and the importance of cytotoxic responses by NK and CD8+ T cells during the control and elimination of EBV-infected cells. Furthermore, we briefly discuss the main inborn errors of immunity that compromise cytotoxic responses by NK and CD8+ T cells, and how this scenario affects the antiviral response during EBV infection. Finally, we conclude the review by underlying the need for an effective EBV vaccine capable of preventing infection and the consequent development of malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

Human herpesvirus type 6 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background and Objectives

Infectious agents are considered one of the possible etiological factors of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It has been suggested that human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) may trigger autoimmune disorders, but few studies have been conducted on the relationship between this virus and autoimmune diseases, especially SLE. The present study aimed to compare the frequency of HHV-6 infection between SLE patients and healthy individuals.

Materials and Methods

Serum samples were collected from 60 healthy people and 60 SLE patients referred to the rheumatology clinic of Shahid-Beheshti Hospital, Kashan, Iran, from January 2020 to January 2021. The following data were collected from the medical records of patients: sex; age; duration of disease; SLE clinical manifestations; and disease activity. After the extraction of viral DNA from samples, a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was performed to detect HHV-6.

Results

HHV-6 was detected in 12 SLE patients (20%) and in 8 healthy individuals (13.3%). A significant correlation was not obtained between SLE and the presence of HHV-6 (P = 0.09). There was no correlation between musculoskeletal involvements, skin lesions, renal manifestations, and hematological manifestations with the presence of HHV-6 (P>0.05). HHV-6 was detected more frequently in patients with active lupus than in patients with quiescent disease, but this difference was not significant (P=0.08).

Conclusion

Although patients with SLE had a higher prevalence of HHV-6 compared with healthy people, there is no strong link between HHV-6 infection and SLE. Future research is necessary because this data does not support the hypothesis that human herpesvirus 6 plays a role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Understanding the Mode of Action of a Micro-Immunotherapy Formulation: Pre-Clinical Evidence from the Study of 2LEBV® Active Ingredients

BACKGROUND

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is often kept silent and asymptomatic; however, its reactivation induces a chronic and/or recurrent infection that is associated with numerous diseases, including cancer and inflammation-related disorders. As no specific treatment is currently available, the immune factors-based micro-immunotherapy (MI) medicine 2LEBV® could be considered a valuable therapeutic option to sustain the immune system in EBV reactivation.

METHODS

The present work aimed to investigate, for the first time, the effect of 2LEBV® in several in vitro models of uninfected immune-related cells.

RESULTS

2LEBV® displayed phagocytosis-enhancing capabilities in granulocytes. In human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), it increased the intra- and extra-cellular expression of interleukin (IL)-2. Moreover, it modulated the secretion of other cytokines, increasing IL-4, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels or lowering other cytokines levels such as IL-9. Finally, 2LEBV® reduced the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-II in endothelial cells and macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

Although these data are still preliminary and the chosen models do not consider the underlying EBV-reactivation mechanisms, they still provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of 2LEBV®, both at functional and molecular levels. Furthermore, they open perspectives regarding the potential targets of 2LEBV® in its employment as a therapeutic intervention for EBV-associated diseases.

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus infection in primary junctional epithelial cell cultures

Background

Junctional epithelium (JE) provides the front-line defense against pathogens invading periodontium. The breakdown of the JE barrier is the hallmark of periodontitis. Recent studies have implicated the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as one of the etiopathogenetic factors of periodontitis. EBV exhibits tropism for two target cells in vivo: B cells, where it primarily remains latent, and epithelial cells, where viral replication occurs.

Objective

Our knowledge of junctional epithelial cell (JEC) infection with EBV has been limited by the difficulty of generating cell cultures and the inability to infect JECs in vitro readily.

Design

To study EBV infection in JECs, we developed human JEC cultures derived from a periodontitis patient. Furthermore, we established a successful contact-free co-culture infection model between the EBV-donor B95-8 cell line and the EBV-permissive JEC culture. JECs and EBV infection of JECs were detected using immunofluorescent staining of cytokeratin 19 and EBNA1, respectively. In addition, EBV infection was confirmed by RT-qPCR for EBNA1, LMP1, and BZLF1 expression.

Results and conclusions

Our results suggest that the infection of JECs with EBV can occur in an in vitro experimental model. These outcomes have the potential to enhance our understanding of EBV's involvement in periodontitis and advance periodontal research.

Coinfections with additional oncoviruses in HPV+ individuals: Status, function and potential clinical implications

Oncovirus infections account for an estimated 12%-20% of human cancers worldwide. High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the etiological agent of some malignancies such as cervical, oropharyngeal, anal, penile, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. However, HPV infection is not the only cause of these cancers or may not be sufficient to initiate cancer development. Actually, certain other risk factors including additional oncoviruses coinfections have been reported to increase the risk of patients exposed to HPV for developing different HPV-related cancers. In the current review, we summarize recent findings about coinfections with different oncoviruses in HPV+ patients from both clinical and mechanistic studies. We believe such efforts may lead to an interesting direction for improving our understanding and developing new treatments for virus-induced cancers.

Prevalence of cutaneous manifestations and myositis-specific antibodies in COVID-19 patients and Anti-PL7 antibodies association with pulmonary radiological severity: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic immune-mediated myopathy, and may involve many organs, including muscles, skin and lungs. Myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) are a useful aid in diagnosis DM and identifying its clinical subtype. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies found clinical similarities regarding lung involvement in both COVID-19 and DM. Such similarities have prompted speculation of a common pathogenetic mechanism. Indeed, viral infections are well-known triggers of autoimmune diseases. This prompted us to investigate whether circulating MSAs could be markers of the severity of lung involvement and of clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, we investigated the presence of cutaneous signs of DM in COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 178 hospitalized patients affected by COVID-19. The diagnosis was confirmed by naso-pharyngeal swab positivity for SARS-CoV-2. The severity of lung involvement was assessed by assigning to each patient a radiological score ranging from 1 to 4, based on chest imaging (chest X-rays or CT scans). Serum samples were tested for MSAs.

RESULTS

Anti-PL-7 antibodies were detected in 10.1% of patients and were found to be associated with an increased risk of severe pulmonary involvement (p = 0.019) and a worse prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Cutaneous lesions were observed in 26.4% of patients. However, none were cutaneous manifestations of DM.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of anti-PL7 antibodies might predict severe pulmonary involvement and a worse prognosis in COVID-19 patients.

Polyamine Dysregulation and Nucleolar Disruption in Alzheimer's Disease

A hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease etiology is proposed describing how cellular stress induces excessive polyamine synthesis and recycling which can disrupt nucleoli. Polyamines are essential in nucleolar functions, such as RNA folding and ribonucleoprotein assembly. Changes in the nucleolar pool of anionic RNA and cationic polyamines acting as counterions can cause significant nucleolar dynamics. Polyamine synthesis reduces S-adenosylmethionine which, at low levels, triggers tau phosphorylation. Also, polyamine recycling reduces acetyl-CoA needed for acetylcholine, which is low in Alzheimer's disease. Extraordinary nucleolar expansion and/or contraction can disrupt epigenetic control in peri-nucleolar chromatin, such as chromosome 14 with the presenilin-1 gene; chromosome 21 with the amyloid precursor protein gene; chromosome 17 with the tau gene; chromosome 19 with the APOE4 gene; and the inactive X chromosome (Xi; aka "nucleolar satellite") with normally silent spermine synthase (polyamine synthesis) and spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase (polyamine recycling) alleles. Chromosomes 17, 19 and the Xi have high concentrations of Alu elements which can be transcribed by RNA polymerase III if positioned nucleosomes are displaced from the Alu elements. A sudden flood of Alu RNA transcripts can competitively bind nucleolin which is usually bound to Alu sequences in structural RNAs that stabilize the nucleolar heterochromatic shell. This Alu competition leads to loss of nucleolar integrity with leaking of nucleolar polyamines that cause aggregation of phosphorylated tau. The hypothesis was developed with key word searches (e.g., PubMed) using relevant terms (e.g., Alzheimer's, lupus, nucleolin) based on a systems biology approach and exploring autoimmune disease tautology, gaining synergistic insights from other diseases.

Coagulation Parameters in Post-Covid-19 Condition in Relation to Various Titers of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in Blood Plasma

Background and Objectives

Post-COVID-19 condition is thought to affect 10-20% of people at least 3 months after a diagnosis of COVID-19 and two months of symptoms. Post-COVID-19 condition presents itself with many clinical effects with varying degrees of severity ranging from a mild cough to a life-threatening coagulopathy. Our study aimed to identify a relationship between the titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and anticoagulation parameters: antithrombin III (ATIII), protein C (PC) and thrombomodulin (TM).

Materials and Methods

Blood plasma was collected from healthy donors aged 25-45 who had recovered from COVID-19 3-6 months ago and their titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and ATIII, PC, and TM were measured.

Results

We found that concentrations and activities of key anticoagulation parameters (ATIII, PC, and TM) measured in donor plasma during the post-COVID-19 varied in relation to the titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG.

Conclusion

While we identified a dysfunction of anticoagulation parameters in patients with post-COVID-19, we aim to explore the subpopulation antibody IgG fraction directly using in vivo and in vitro experiments with the possibility to contribute to the development of treatment options for post-COVID-19 conditions.

Remodeling of the ribosomal quality control and integrated stress response by viral ubiquitin deconjugases

The strategies adopted by viruses to reprogram the translation and protein quality control machinery and promote infection are poorly understood. Here, we report that the viral ubiquitin deconjugase (vDUB)-encoded in the large tegument protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV BPLF1)-regulates the ribosomal quality control (RQC) and integrated stress responses (ISR). The vDUB participates in protein complexes that include the RQC ubiquitin ligases ZNF598 and LTN1. Upon ribosomal stalling, the vDUB counteracts the ubiquitination of the 40 S particle and inhibits the degradation of translation-stalled polypeptides by the proteasome. Impairment of the RQC correlates with the readthrough of stall-inducing mRNAs and with activation of a GCN2-dependent ISR that redirects translation towards upstream open reading frames (uORFs)- and internal ribosome entry sites (IRES)-containing transcripts. Physiological levels of active BPLF1 promote the translation of the EBV Nuclear Antigen (EBNA)1 mRNA in productively infected cells and enhance the release of progeny virus, pointing to a pivotal role of the vDUB in the translation reprogramming that enables efficient virus production.

Epstein-Barr virus: To be a trigger of autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy?

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a novel autoimmune disease of central nervous system (CNS). It is unclear whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is related to autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics of patients with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy.

METHODS

The clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings of patients are presented. The levels of GFAP in CSF were detected by ELISA. T and B cell subsets in CSF were detected by flow cytometry. GFAP-IgG in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were tested by cell-based assay (CBA) and tissue-based assay (TBA).

RESULTS

All three patients had fever, cognitive dysfunction, limb weakness, and positive GFAP-IgG with EBV infection in CSF. Enteric glia cells may involve in this disease. Typical imaging findings include the gadolinium enhancement of linear perivascular radial perpendicular to the ventricle, meningeal enhancement (especially in midbrain interpeduncal fossa), longitudinally extensive lesions involving spindle cords, and more T2/Flair-hyperintense lesions in the periventricular white matter at late stage. The patients had poor response to antiviral treatment and strong response to steroid pulse therapy.

CONCLUSION

EBV could induce CNS autoimmune response in autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. The detection of GFAP-IgG and EBV may facilitate the early diagnosis in these patients.

[Diagnostic value of low versus high titers of MOG-IgG and their clinical implications in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease: a retrospective singlecenter study]

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the clinical characteristics of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and explore the value of MOG-IgG titers for diagnosis and evaluating disease severity of MOGAD.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted among the patients positive for serum MOG-IgG admitted in our hospital from December, 2020 to December, 2022. With 1∶100 as the cutoff value of MOG-IgG titer, the patients were divided into low and high MOG-IgG titer groups for comparison of general demographic data, laboratory test results, imaging features, treatment, and prognosis.

RESULTS

Of the 36 patients included, 28 were diagnosed with MOGAD (77.78%), including 15 with low and 13 with high MOG-IgG titers. Compared with the cases reported previously, the MOGAD patients included herein showed a higher prevalence of sensory abnormalities (52.78%) and a lower prevalence of vision loss (25%). Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the periventricular white matter was the most common lesion site (45.71%). The patients with high MOGIgG titers had significantly lower peripheral blood lymphocyte counts (P=0.025) with an increased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.045), higher serum free thyroxine levels (P=0.033) and higher cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels (P=0.007) as compared with those with low MOG-IgG titers.

CONCLUSION

Low titers and high titers of MOG-IgG have similar diagnostic value for MOGAD. The serum titers of MOG-IgG are probably associated with the disease severity and stress levels of the patients with MOGAD.

Host Genetic Variation Has a Profound Impact on Immune Responses Mediating Control of Viral Load in Chronic Gammaherpesvirus Infection

Chronic infection with the gammaherpesvirus EBV is a risk factor for several autoimmune diseases, and poor control of EBV viral load and enhanced anti-EBV responses elevate this risk further. However, the role of host genetic variation in the regulation of immune responses to chronic gammaherpesvirus infection and control of viral replication remains unclear. To address this question, we infected C57BL/6J (B6) and genetically divergent wild-derived inbred PWD/PhJ (PWD) mice with murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (MHV-68), a gammaherpesvirus similar to EBV, and determined the effect of latent gammaherpesvirus infection on the CD4 T cell transcriptome. Chronic MHV-68 infection of B6 mice resulted in a dramatic upregulation of genes characteristic of a cytotoxic Th cell phenotype, including Gzmb, Cx3cr1, Klrg1, and Nkg7, a response that was highly muted in PWD mice. Flow cytometric analyses revealed an expansion of CX3CR1+KLRG1+ cytotoxic Th cell-like cells in B6 but not PWD mice. Analysis of MHV-68 replication demonstrated that in spite of muted adaptive responses, PWD mice had superior control of viral load in lymphoid tissue, despite an absence of a defect in MHV-68 in vitro replication in PWD macrophages. Depletion of NK cells in PWD mice, but not B6 mice, resulted in elevated viral load, suggesting genotype-dependent NK cell involvement in MHV-68 control. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that host genetic variation can regulate control of gammaherpesvirus replication through disparate immunological mechanisms, resulting in divergent long-term immunological sequelae during chronic infection.

A gB nanoparticle vaccine elicits a protective neutralizing antibody response against EBV

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a global public health concern, as it is known to cause multiple diseases while also being etiologically associated with a wide range of epithelial and lymphoid malignancies. Currently, there is no available prophylactic vaccine against EBV. gB is the EBV fusion protein that mediates viral membrane fusion and participates in host recognition, making it critical for EBV infection in both B cells and epithelial cells. Here, we present a gB nanoparticle, gB-I53-50 NP, that displays multiple copies of gB. Compared with the gB trimer, gB-I53-50 NP shows improved structural integrity and stability, as well as enhanced immunogenicity in mice and non-human primate (NHP) preclinical models. Immunization and passive transfer demonstrate a robust and durable protective antibody response that protects humanized mice against lethal EBV challenge. This vaccine candidate demonstrates significant potential in preventing EBV infection, providing a possible platform for developing prophylactic vaccines for EBV.

Two web-based dynamically interactive nomograms and risk stratification systems for predicting survival outcomes and guiding treatment in non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

A nomogram is a valuable and easily accessible tool for individualizing cancer prognosis. This study aims to establish and validate two prognostic nomograms for long-term overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients and to investigate the treatment options for the nomogram-based risk stratification subgroups.

METHODS

A total of 3959 patients with non-metastatic NPC between 2004 and 2015 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The patients were randomly allocated to the training and validation cohorts in a 7:3 ratio. Prognostic nomograms were constructed to estimate OS and CSS by integrating significant variables from multivariate Cox regression employing a backward stepwise method. We examined the correlation indices (C-index) and areas under the curves (AUC) of time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves to assess the discriminative ability of our survival models. The comprehensive enhancements of predictive performance were evaluated with net reclassification operating improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Reliability was validated using calibration plots. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to estimate clinical efficacy and capability. Finally, the nomogram-based risk stratification system used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests to examine differences between subgroups.

RESULTS

The following independent parameters were significant predictors for OS: sex, age, race, marital status, histological type, median household income, AJCC stage tumor size, and lymph node size. Except for the race variables mentioned above, the rest were independent prognostic factors for CSS. The C-index, AUC, NRI, and IDI indicated satisfactory discriminating properties. The calibration curves exhibited high concordance with the exact outcomes. Moreover, the DCA demonstrated performed well for net benefits. The prognosis significantly differed between low- and high-risk patients (p < 0.001). In a treatment-based stratified survival analysis in risk-stratified subgroups, chemotherapy benefited patients in the high-risk group compared to radiotherapy alone. Radiotherapy only was recommended in the low-risk group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our nomograms have satisfactory performance and have been validated. It can assist clinicians in prognosis assessment and individualized treatment of non-metastatic NPC patients.

Epstein-Barr virus and host cell 3D genome organization

The human genome is organized in an extremely complexed yet ordered way within the nucleus. Genome organization plays a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. Viruses manipulate the host machinery to influence host genome organization to favor their survival and promote disease development. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human virus, whose infection is associated with various diseases, including infectious mononucleosis, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. This review summarizes our current knowledge of how EBV uses different strategies to control the cellular 3D genome organization to affect cell gene expression to transform normal cells into lymphoblasts.

Biogeographical Impacts of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Microbial Reservoirs

The human mouth, or oral cavity, is at the crossroads of our external and internal environments, and it is increasingly evident that local colonization of dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) tissues and cells by bacteria and viruses may also have systemic effects across myriad diseases and disorders. Better understanding of this phenomenon will require a holistic understanding of host-microbial interactions in both spatiotemporal and biogeographical contexts while also considering person-, organ-, tissue-, cell-, and molecular-level variation. After the acute phase interaction with microbes, the establishment of site-specific reservoirs constitutes an important relationship to understand within the human body; however, despite a preliminary understanding of how viral reservoirs originate and persist across the human body, the landscape of single-cell and spatial multiomic tools has challenged our current understanding of what cells and niches can support microbial reservoirs. The lack of complete understanding impacts research into these relevant topics and implementing precision care for microbial-induced or microbial-influenced diseases. Here, via the lens of acute and chronic microbial infections of the DOC tissues, the goal of this review is to highlight and link the emerging spatiotemporal biogeography of host-viral interactomics at 3 levels: (1) DOC cell types in distinct tissues, (2) DOC-associated microbes, and (3) niche-specific DOC pathologies. Further, we will focus on the impact of postacute infectious syndromes such as long COVID, neurodegenerative disorders, and other underappreciated postviral conditions. We will provide hypotheses about how DOC tissues may play roles systemically in these conditions. Throughout, we will underscore how COVID-19 has catalyzed a new understanding of these biological questions, discuss future directions to study these phenomena, and highlight the utility of noninvasive oral biofluids in screening, monitoring, and intervening to prevent and/or ameliorate human infectious diseases.

IFIT3 inhibits Epstein-Barr virus reactivation via upregulating innate immunity

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the γ-herpesvirus family, can establish latent infection in B lymphocytes and certain epithelial cells after primary infection. Under certain circumstances, EBV can enter into lytic replication. However, the regulation of EBV latent-lytic infection remains largely unclear. The important immune molecule, interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3), was upregulated in EBV latently infected cells. When the lytic replication of EBV was induced, the expression of IFIT3 was further increased. In turn, IFIT3 overexpression dramatically inhibited the lytic replication of EBV, while IFIT3 knockdown facilitated EBV lytic replication. Moreover, upon the lytic induction, the ectopic IFIT3 expression promoted the activation of the interferon (IFN) pathway, including the production of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), IFNB1, and the phosphorylation of IFN-regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). In contrast, the depletion of IFIT3 led to decreased ISGs and IFNB1 expression. Mechanically, IFIT3 inhibited EBV lytic replication through IFN signaling. This study revealed that the host innate immune-related factor IFIT3 played an important role in regulating EBV latent-lytic homeostasis. The results implied that EBV has evolved well to utilize host factors to maintain latent infection.