The case for an Epstein-Barr virus vaccine: Lessons from its link to systemic lupus erythematosus - PubMed
6 hours ago
- #vaccine development
- #Epstein-Barr virus
- #systemic lupus erythematosus
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is increasingly linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with recent studies showing mechanistic pathways connecting infection to autoimmune activation.
- EBV preferentially infects CD27+ CD21- memory B cells, reprogramming them into antigen-presenting cells that drive T-cell activation and autoantibody formation.
- Genetic studies suggest EBNA2 binding at autoimmune risk loci, supporting a causal model between EBV latency, reactivation, and lupus pathogenesis.
- Development of a prophylactic EBV vaccine is urgent, with progress in antigen design, nanoparticle platforms, and adjuvants like Matrix-M showing promise.
- An effective EBV vaccine could reduce infectious mononucleosis, EBV-associated malignancies, and lower the global burden of SLE.