Epstein-Barr Virus and the Origin of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 2021

Manuel Ruiz-Pablos, and Bruno Paiva, and Rosario Montero-Mateo, and Nicolas Garcia, and Aintzane Zabaleta
Faculty of Medicine of the European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) affects approximately 1% of the general population. It is a chronic, disabling, multi-system disease for which there is no effective treatment. This is probably related to the limited knowledge about its origin. Here, we summarized the current knowledge about the pathogenesis of ME/CFS and revisit the immunopathobiology of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Given the similarities between EBV-associated autoimmune diseases and cancer in terms of poor T cell surveillance of cells with EBV latency, expanded EBV-infected cells in peripheral blood and increased antibodies against EBV, we hypothesize that there could be a common etiology generated by cells with EBV latency that escape immune surveillance. Albeit inconclusive, multiple studies in patients with ME/CFS have suggested an altered cellular immunity and augmented Th2 response that could result from mechanisms of evasion to some pathogens such as EBV, which has been identified as a risk factor in a subset of ME/CFS patients. Namely, cells with latency may evade the immune system in individuals with genetic predisposition to develop ME/CFS and in consequence, there could be poor CD4 T cell immunity to mitogens and other specific antigens, as it has been described in some individuals. Ultimately, we hypothesize that within ME/CFS there is a subgroup of patients with DRB1 and DQB1 alleles that could confer greater susceptibility to EBV, where immune evasion mechanisms generated by cells with latency induce immunodeficiency. Accordingly, we propose new endeavors to investigate if anti-EBV therapies could be effective in selected ME/CFS patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007111 Immunity, Cellular Manifestations of the immune response which are mediated by antigen-sensitized T-lymphocytes via lymphokines or direct cytotoxicity. This takes place in the absence of circulating antibody or where antibody plays a subordinate role. Cell-Mediated Immunity,Cellular Immune Response,Cell Mediated Immunity,Cell-Mediated Immunities,Cellular Immune Responses,Cellular Immunities,Cellular Immunity,Immune Response, Cellular,Immune Responses, Cellular,Immunities, Cell-Mediated,Immunities, Cellular,Immunity, Cell-Mediated,Response, Cellular Immune
D008213 Lymphocyte Activation Morphologic alteration of small B LYMPHOCYTES or T LYMPHOCYTES in culture into large blast-like cells able to synthesize DNA and RNA and to divide mitotically. It is induced by INTERLEUKINS; MITOGENS such as PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININS, and by specific ANTIGENS. It may also occur in vivo as in GRAFT REJECTION. Blast Transformation,Blastogenesis,Lymphoblast Transformation,Lymphocyte Stimulation,Lymphocyte Transformation,Transformation, Blast,Transformation, Lymphoblast,Transformation, Lymphocyte,Activation, Lymphocyte,Stimulation, Lymphocyte
D004854 Herpesvirus 4, Human The type species of LYMPHOCRYPTOVIRUS, subfamily GAMMAHERPESVIRINAE, infecting B-cells in humans. It is thought to be the causative agent of INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS and is strongly associated with oral hairy leukoplakia (LEUKOPLAKIA, HAIRY;), BURKITT LYMPHOMA; and other malignancies. Burkitt Herpesvirus,Burkitt Lymphoma Virus,E-B Virus,EBV,Epstein-Barr Virus,Human Herpesvirus 4,Infectious Mononucleosis Virus,Burkitt's Lymphoma Virus,HHV-4,Herpesvirus 4 (gamma), Human,Burkitts Lymphoma Virus,E B Virus,E-B Viruses,Epstein Barr Virus,Herpesvirus, Burkitt,Infectious Mononucleosis Viruses,Lymphoma Virus, Burkitt,Mononucleosis Virus, Infectious,Mononucleosis Viruses, Infectious
D006681 HLA-D Antigens Human immune-response or Class II antigens found mainly, but not exclusively, on B-lymphocytes and produced from genes of the HLA-D locus. They are extremely polymorphic families of glycopeptides, each consisting of two chains, alpha and beta. This group of antigens includes the -DR, -DQ and -DP designations, of which HLA-DR is most studied; some of these glycoproteins are associated with certain diseases, possibly of immune etiology. Antigens, HLA-D,Class II Human Antigens,HLA-Dw Antigens,Human Class II Antigens,Ia-Like Antigens, Human,Immune Response-Associated Antigens, Human,Immune-Associated Antigens, Human,Immune-Response Antigens, Human,HLA-D,HLA-Dw,Immune Response Associated Antigens, Human,Antigens, HLA D,Antigens, HLA-Dw,Antigens, Human Ia-Like,Antigens, Human Immune-Associated,Antigens, Human Immune-Response,HLA D Antigens,HLA Dw Antigens,Human Ia-Like Antigens,Human Immune-Associated Antigens,Human Immune-Response Antigens,Ia Like Antigens, Human,Immune Associated Antigens, Human,Immune Response Antigens, Human
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000956 Antigens, Viral Substances elaborated by viruses that have antigenic activity. Viral Antigen,Viral Antigens,Antigen, Viral
D001402 B-Lymphocytes Lymphoid cells concerned with humoral immunity. They are short-lived cells resembling bursa-derived lymphocytes of birds in their production of immunoglobulin upon appropriate stimulation. B-Cells, Lymphocyte,B-Lymphocyte,Bursa-Dependent Lymphocytes,B Cells, Lymphocyte,B Lymphocyte,B Lymphocytes,B-Cell, Lymphocyte,Bursa Dependent Lymphocytes,Bursa-Dependent Lymphocyte,Lymphocyte B-Cell,Lymphocyte B-Cells,Lymphocyte, Bursa-Dependent,Lymphocytes, Bursa-Dependent
D015496 CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes A critical subpopulation of T-lymphocytes involved in the induction of most immunological functions. The HIV virus has selective tropism for the T4 cell which expresses the CD4 phenotypic marker, a receptor for HIV. In fact, the key element in the profound immunosuppression seen in HIV infection is the depletion of this subset of T-lymphocytes. T4 Cells,T4 Lymphocytes,CD4-Positive Lymphocytes,CD4 Positive T Lymphocytes,CD4-Positive Lymphocyte,CD4-Positive T-Lymphocyte,Lymphocyte, CD4-Positive,Lymphocytes, CD4-Positive,T-Lymphocyte, CD4-Positive,T-Lymphocytes, CD4-Positive,T4 Cell,T4 Lymphocyte
D015673 Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic A syndrome characterized by persistent or recurrent fatigue, diffuse musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, and subjective cognitive impairment of 6 months duration or longer. Symptoms are not caused by ongoing exertion; are not relieved by rest; and result in a substantial reduction of previous levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities. Minor alterations of immune, neuroendocrine, and autonomic function may be associated with this syndrome. There is also considerable overlap between this condition and FIBROMYALGIA. (From Semin Neurol 1998;18(2):237-42; Ann Intern Med 1994 Dec 15;121(12): 953-9) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,Encephalomyelitis, Myalgic,Infectious Mononucleosis-Like Syndrome, Chronic,Postviral Fatigue Syndrome,Chronic Fatigue Disorder,Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome,Chronic Fatigue-Fibromyalgia Syndrome,Myalgic Encephalomyelitis,Royal Free Disease,Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease,Chronic Fatigue Disorders,Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia Syndrome,Chronic Fatigue Syndromes,Chronic Fatigue-Fibromyalgia Syndromes,Fatigue Disorder, Chronic,Fatigue Syndrome, Postviral,Fatigue Syndromes, Chronic,Fatigue-Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Chronic,Fatigue-Fibromyalgia Syndromes, Chronic,Infectious Mononucleosis Like Syndrome, Chronic,Postviral Fatigue Syndromes,Syndrome, Postviral Fatigue
D018448 Models, Immunological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of immune system, processes, or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electrical equipment. Immunological Models,Immunologic Model,Model, Immunologic,Immunologic Models,Immunological Model,Model, Immunological,Models, Immunologic

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