Researchers at Stanford have potentially unraveled the mystery behind the cause of a common chronic autoimmune disease, identifying a virus that affects a majority of Americans at some point in their lives as the culprit.
Known as the ‘kissing disease’, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is notorious for spreading via saliva and causing infectious mononucleosis, or ‘mono’. This virus is highly prevalent and can remain inactive in one’s system for years, only to reactivate later, leading to symptoms like swollen glands, fever, and headaches.
A study conducted by Stanford researchers suggests that this widespread infection, which half of individuals have contracted by age five, may be the underlying cause of lupus. Lupus is a chronic illness characterized by severe fatigue, pain, and skin rashes, with celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Nick Cannon among those affected.
The medical field has long been puzzled by this autoimmune disorder, as its symptoms often resemble those of other illnesses, complicating diagnosis. Despite being recognized as early as 1904, there remains no definitive cure or specific treatment for lupus.
In their groundbreaking research, Stanford Medicine investigators explored the possibility that EBV serves as a catalyst for lupus by altering the function of B cells, a type of immune cell responsible for combating infections.
Through extensive genetic analysis, the scientists discovered that EBV infects these B cells, taking control of them and causing them to attack tissues throughout the body, potentially offering a solution to the century-old enigma of lupus’ origins.
The research team identified a viral protein called EBNA2 as the source of EBV’s impact on immune cells, which they suspect contributes to the severe autoimmune response seen in lupus.
Professor William Robinson MD, the study’s senior author and an expert in immunology, described it as ‘the single most impactful finding to emerge from my lab in my entire career,’ confidently stating that the team believes it ‘applies to 100% of lupus cases’.
Approximately one million Americans are estimated to live with lupus, which causes damage to various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and nerves.
This damage is due to errant B cells producing antibodies that target and destroy cell nuclei instead of harmful pathogens. Since nearly all cells in the body contain a nucleus, this becomes a systemic issue.
Extreme fatigue is often a primary symptom of lupus, along with joint pain and skin rashes, and may serve as early indicators of the disease. The condition can progress to involve inflammation of internal organs.
While living with lupus can be painful, most individuals can lead a normal life, although around 5% may face life-threatening complications.
Despite the insights from this new study regarding lupus’ function and origin, avoiding the condition might be challenging. Due to EBV’s widespread presence and frequent lack of diagnosis, many individuals likely already carry the virus.
Professor Robinson noted that the odds are ’20 to 1′ that someone already has the virus, and eliminating it is not feasible, stating that ‘practically the only way to not get EBV is to live in a bubble’.