The Relevance between RA Pathogenesis and EBV Infection

Abstract: Though the pathogenesis of RA is still puzzling， the relevance between RA pathogenesis and EBV (Epstein-Barr virus， HHV-4) infection has recently become a research hot spot. Documents have shown that， comparing to healthy controls， the RA are characterized by high titers of anti-EBV antibodies， anti-CCP antibodies and impaired T-cell responses to EBV antigens. In situ hybridization， immuno-histochemical and PCR techniques have identified EBV antigens and genetic material within the rheumatoid synovium， albeit with variable results. There are some similarities of amino acid sequences between anti-EBV antibodies and self antigens， such as the homologous sequence QKRAARA existed in both HLA-DRB1*0401/0405 and EBV gp110 protein. Molecular mimicry is assumed to occur during the initiation and the process of RA induced by EBV. Several evidences indicated the impairment of the SAP (signalling lymphocyte activation molecule-associated protein) signal path might be the molecular biological mechanisms of pathogenesis in RA. Despite these multiple and complex links between EBV and RA， proofs of research are still needed to illuminate the causal association. For the illumination of the immunological relevance is of great benefit to clinical treatment in RA.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2010.05.0017