A breakthrough study suggests that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common childhood infection, may be the trigger behind lupus, an often debilitating autoimmune disease. This discovery has profound implications for understanding and treating lupus, which currently lacks a cure.
For most people, EBV causes mild symptoms like sore throat or fever and becomes dormant in the body’s cells. However, this research indicates that EBV can cause some immune cells to malfunction, mistakenly attacking healthy tissues instead of fighting off infections. This process effectively sets off an autoimmune response, characteristic of lupus.
“We believe this applies to 100% of lupus cases,” says Professor William Robinson from Stanford University, the study’s senior author. “This finding could revolutionize lupus treatments by paving the way for therapies that directly target and address the underlying cause.”
Lupus affects approximately 69,000 people in the UK alone. It causes a range of debilitating symptoms including joint and muscle pain, extreme fatigue, skin rashes, and other problems due to widespread immune system dysfunction. The exact triggers behind lupus have remained elusive until now.
This new research builds on previous epidemiological studies that hinted at a connection between EBV and lupus. More recently, scientists confirmed a similar link between EBV and multiple sclerosis, another autoimmune disease. This latest work delves deeper into the cellular mechanisms by which EBV might trigger this immune system malfunction in lupus.
The researchers examined B cells, a type of white blood cell crucial for recognizing and attacking viruses. They found that in people with lupus, EBV was significantly more prevalent within these B cells compared to healthy individuals. Importantly, the dormant virus seemed to activate these B cells, pushing them into overdrive and causing them to mistakenly target healthy tissues throughout the body.
“The key discovery here is how EBV activates these potentially harmful B cells, driving the autoimmune attack that defines lupus,” explains Dr. Shady Younis, lead author of the study.
While this research shines a light on a potential root cause of lupus, other factors also contribute to a person’s susceptibility. These include genetics, hormonal influences (lupus disproportionately affects women), and ethnic background. The implications are significant:
- Potential for Targeted Therapies: This understanding could lead to the development of therapies that directly target EBV or its effects on B cells in lupus patients.
- EBV Vaccines: The findings lend further urgency to ongoing clinical trials exploring EBV vaccines as a preventative measure against developing lupus.
- Repurposing Existing Cancer Treatments: Researchers are also looking into adapting existing cancer treatments designed to eliminate overactive B cells for severe cases of lupus.
While more research is needed, this discovery represents a major step forward in understanding and potentially treating this complex and challenging disease.
