"Stanford researchers have solved a longtime medical mystery after discovering why some people develop the autoimmune condition lupus. In a new study published in the biomedical journal Science Translational Medicine on Wednesday, researchers revealed for the first time how one of the most common viruses worldwide can cause the condition known as systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects more than 200,000 Americans."
"Researchers have known for years that the Epstein-Barr virus, an extremely common virus that mainly spreads through bodily fluids like saliva, appeared to be linked to lupus. About 95% of adults have EBV, which is one of the most common causes of mononucleosis. Once you have EBV, it remains dormant in your system and rarely causes issues after the initial infection."
"To figure out why only some people with EBV get lupus, Robinson and his team along with researchers from multiple institutions - including the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Cincinnati and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center - homed in on EBV's impact on a type of immune cell called B cells."
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection can cause systemic lupus erythematosus by altering B cell behavior and triggering autoimmune responses. EBV infects about 95% of adults, typically spreads through bodily fluids like saliva, and remains dormant after the initial infection. Lupus occurs when the immune system attacks healthy cells, producing fatigue, facial rashes, hair loss and organ damage. More than 200,000 Americans live with the condition, which ranges from mild to life‑threatening and currently has no cure. The identified link between EBV and B cells clarifies why only a fraction of infected individuals develop lupus and highlights B cell–focused pathways as potential targets for prevention or treatment.
Read at SFGATE
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