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Borghol AH, Bitar ER, Hanna A, Naim G, Rahal EA. The role of Epstein-Barr virus in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-21. [PMID: 38634723 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2344114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Hamid Borghol
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elio R Bitar
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aya Hanna
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Georges Naim
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elias A Rahal
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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17β-Oestradiol Protects from Hepatitis C Virus Infection through Induction of Type I Interferon. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081806. [PMID: 36016428 PMCID: PMC9415988 DOI: 10.3390/v14081806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims: Sex hormones are widely recognised to act as protective factors against several viral infections. Specifically, females infected by the hepatitis C virus display higher clearance rates and reduced disease progression than those found in males. Through modulation of particle release and spread, 17β-oestradiol controls HCV’s life cycle. We investigated the mechanism(s) behind oestrogen’s antiviral effect. Methods: We used cell culture-derived hepatitis C virus in in vitro assays to evaluate the effect of 17β-oestradiol on the innate immune response. Host immune responses were evaluated by enumerating gene transcripts via RT-qPCR in cells exposed to oestrogen in the presence or absence of viral infection. Antiviral effects were determined by focus-forming unit assay or HCV RNA quantification. Results: Stimulation of 17β-oestradiol triggers a pre-activated antiviral state in hepatocytes, which can be maintained for several hours after the hormone is removed. This induction results in the elevation of several innate immune genes, such as interferon alpha and beta, tumour necrosis factor, toll-like receptor 3 and interferon regulatory factor 5. We demonstrated that this pre-activation of immune response signalling is not affected by a viral presence, and the antiviral state can be ablated using an interferon-alpha/beta receptor alpha inhibitor. Finally, we proved that the oestrogen-induced stimulation is essential to generate an antiviral microenvironment mediated by activation of type I interferons. Conclusion: Resulting in viral control and suppression, 17β-oestradiol induces an interferon-mediated antiviral state in hepatocytes. Oestrogen-stimulated cells modulate the immune response through secretion of type I interferon, which can be countered by blocking interferon-alpha/beta receptor alpha signalling.
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Wu J, Zhang L, Wang X. Host Sex Steroids Interact With Virus Infection: New Insights Into Sex Disparity in Infectious Diseases. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:747347. [PMID: 34803967 PMCID: PMC8600311 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.747347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones are steroid hormones synthesized from the gonads of animals and tissues such as the placenta and adrenocortical reticular zone. The physiological functions of sex hormones are complex. Sex hormones are not only pathologically correlated with many diseases of the reproductive system, but are etiological factors in some viral infectious diseases, including disease caused by infections of coronaviruses, herpesviruses, hepatitis viruses, and other kinds of human viruses, which either exhibit a male propensity in clinical practice, or crosstalk with androgen receptor (AR)-related pathways in viral pathogenesis. Due to the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the role of androgen/AR in viral infectious disease is highlighted again, majorly representing by the recent advances of AR-responsive gene of transmembrane protease/serine subfamily member 2 (TMPRSS2), which proteolytically activates the receptor-mediated virus entry by many coronaviruses and influenza virus, along with the role of androgen-mediated signaling for the transcription of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the role of sex hormone responsive genes during Zika virus (ZIKV) pathogenesis, et al. Collectively, we propose to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of male sex hormones during multiple phases in the life cycle of different human viruses, which may be partly responsible for the sex-specific prevalence, severity and mortality of some diseases, therefore, may provide clues to develop more efficient prevention and treatment strategies for high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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Keane JT, Afrasiabi A, Schibeci SD, Fewings N, Parnell GP, Swaminathan S, Booth DR. Gender and the Sex Hormone Estradiol Affect Multiple Sclerosis Risk Gene Expression in Epstein-Barr Virus-Infected B Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:732694. [PMID: 34566997 PMCID: PMC8455923 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.732694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Treatment is based on immunomodulation, including specifically targeting B cells. B cells are the main host for the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which has been described as necessary for MS development. Over 200 genetic loci have been identified as increasing susceptibility to MS. Many MS risk genes have altered expression in EBV infected B cells, dependent on the risk genotype, and are themselves regulated by the EBV transcription factor EBNA2. Females are 2-3 times more likely to develop MS than males. We investigated if MS risk loci might mediate the gender imbalance in MS. From a large public dataset, we identified gender-specific associations with EBV traits, and MS risk SNP/gene pairs with gender differences in their associations with gene expression. Some of these genes also showed gender differences in correlation of gene expression level with Estrogen Receptor 2. To test if estrogens may drive these gender specific differences, we cultured EBV infected B cells (lymphoblastoid cell lines, LCLs), in medium depleted of serum to remove the effects of sex hormones as well as the estrogenic effect of phenol red, and then supplemented with estrogen (100 nM estradiol). Estradiol treatment altered MS risk gene expression, LCL proliferation rate, EBV DNA copy number and EBNA2 expression in a sex-dependent manner. Together, these data indicate that there are estrogen-mediated gender-specific differences in MS risk gene expression and EBV functions. This may in turn contribute to gender differences in host response to EBV and to MS susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy T. Keane
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ali Afrasiabi
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- BioMedical Machine Learning Lab (BML), The Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW SYDNEY, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen D. Schibeci
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole Fewings
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Grant P. Parnell
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sanjay Swaminathan
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David R. Booth
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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McDonald JA, Cherubin S, Goldberg M, Wei Y, Chung WK, Schwartz LA, Knight JA, Schooling CM, Santella RM, Bradbury AR, Buys SS, Andrulis IL, John EM, Daly MB, Terry MB. Common Childhood Viruses and Pubertal Timing: The LEGACY Girls Study. Am J Epidemiol 2021; 190:766-778. [PMID: 33128063 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwaa240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Earlier pubertal development is only partially explained by childhood body mass index; the role of other factors, such as childhood infections, is less understood. Using data from the LEGACY Girls Study (North America, 2011-2016), we prospectively examined the associations between childhood viral infections (cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1, HSV2) and pubertal timing. We measured exposures based on seropositivity in premenarcheal girls (n = 490). Breast and pubic hair development were classified based on mother-reported Tanner Stage (TS) (TS2+ compared with TS1), adjusting for age, body mass index, and sociodemographic factors. The average age at first blood draw was 9.8 years (standard deviation, 1.9 years). The prevalences were 31% CMV+, 37% EBV+, 14% HSV1+, 0.4% HSV2+, and 16% for both CMV+/EBV+ coinfection. CMV+ infection without coinfection was associated with developing breasts an average of 7 months earlier (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32, 3.40). CMV infection without coinfection and HSV1 and/or HSV2 infection were associated with developing pubic hair 9 months later (HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.71, and HR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.81, respectively). Infection was not associated with menarche. If replicated in larger cohorts with blood collection prior to any breast development, this study supports the hypothesis that childhood infections might play a role in altering pubertal timing.
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Antonelli A, Ferrari SM, Ragusa F, Elia G, Paparo SR, Ruffilli I, Patrizio A, Giusti C, Gonnella D, Cristaudo A, Foddis R, Shoenfeld Y, Fallahi P. Graves' disease: Epidemiology, genetic and environmental risk factors and viruses. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 34:101387. [PMID: 32107168 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Graves' disease (GD) is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in developed Countries. It is more common between 30 and 60 years; 5-10 times more frequent in women. The genetic predisposition accounts for 79% of the risk for GD, while environmental factors for 21%. About 70% of genes associated with autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITD) are implicated in T-cell function. Among GD endogenous factors, estrogens, X-inactivation and microchimerism are important. Among environmental risk factors, smoking, iodine excess, selenium and vitamin D deficiency, and the occupational exposure to Agent Orange have been associated with GD. Many studies showed that HCV is associated with thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism, in patients with chronic HCV hepatitis (CHC); a significant link has been shown also between HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinemia and risk for GD. Moreover, IFN-α-treated CHC patients develop GD more frequently. Novel studies are needed about possible risk factors to reduce the occurence of GD in West Countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | - Ilaria Ruffilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Armando Patrizio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Claudia Giusti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Debora Gonnella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Alfonso Cristaudo
- Department of Translational Research of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Rudy Foddis
- Department of Translational Research of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Russia.
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Hara S, Nagata K, Nakayama Y, Higaki K, Matsushita M, Kuwamoto S, Kato M, Hayashi K. High Level Estradiol Induces EBV Reactivation and EBV gp350/220(+)CD138(+) Double-positive B Cell Population in Graves' Disease Patients and Healthy Controls. Yonago Acta Med 2019; 62:240-243. [PMID: 31341401 DOI: 10.33160/yam.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Graves' disease occurs predominantly in women. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) mainly persists in human B lymphocytes, and its reactivation stimulates antibody production. We previously suggested that the EBV reactivation-induced production of TRAb and IgM at 100 nM estradiol (pregnant level) was lower than that at 0 nM estradiol and that class switch recombination may be increased by estradiol. In this study, we examined the effect of estradiol on EBV reactivation. We identified the expression of EBV-glycoprotein 350/220 (gp350/220) in the late phase of reactivation and plasma cell differentiation of EBV-infected cells using 72A1 antibody and CD138 antibody, respectively. We found the mean ratio of gp 350/220(+) CD138(+) cells at 100 nM estradiol was higher than that at 0 nM estradiol. These results suggested that EBV-infected cells could survive with keeping the ability of antibody production in 100 nM estradiol, which is consistent with the improvement of Graves' disease during maternity and exacerbation postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayuri Hara
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Keiko Nagata
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Yuji Nakayama
- Division of Radioisotope Science, Research Initiative Center, Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Tottori
| | - Katsumi Higaki
- Division of Functional Genomics, Research Center for Bioscience and Technology, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan and
| | - Michiko Matsushita
- Department of Pathobiological Science and Technology, School of Health Science, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuwamoto
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Masako Kato
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Hayashi
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
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