THE ROLE OF VIRUSES IN THE ETIOPATHOGENESIS OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by a broad variety of autoantibodies and different clinical presentations. Viruses have long been accused of being one of the potential enviromental triggers of SLE and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) has been the most attractive of these agents based on the evidences obtained from clinical and laboratory studies. Its being ubiquitous in many populations, ability to produce a life-long latent infection and its ability to stimulate the immune system continuously are the features of EBV considered to be consistent with an etiologic role in SLE. In this work, the potential mechanisms of virus-induced autoimmunity and SLE-EBV relationship are reviewed in the context of important papers on this subject.