Host control of persistent Epstein-Barr virus infection - PubMed
4 days ago
- #genetic factors
- #Epstein-Barr virus
- #autoimmune disease
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects 90-95% of the global population and persists in B cells as a life-long infection.
- Prior EBV infection is linked to autoimmune and neoplastic diseases.
- The study identifies non-genetic and genetic factors associated with EBV control during persistent infection.
- Blood-based genome sequence data from UK Biobank and All of Us participants showed EBV-read detection in 16.2% and 21.8% of individuals, respectively.
- EBV-read detection reflects increased viral load in blood cells and is associated with HIV infection, immunosuppressive drug intake, and current smoking.
- Genome-wide analyses identified strong associations at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), including 54 independent HLA-alleles of MHC class I and II.
- Epistasis with distinct HLA-alleles of MHC class I was observed at the ERAP2 locus.
- Individuals with EBV-associated diseases showed a higher polygenic burden of EBVread+ for HLA-alleles at MHC class I in multiple sclerosis and at MHC class II in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Phenome-wide analyses identified a polygenic overlap of EBVread+ with inflammatory bowel disease, hypothyroidism, and type 1 diabetes.
- The study establishes by-products of human genome sequence as a surrogate marker of EBV viral load, aiding investigation and treatment for EBV and other persistent viral infections.