Epstein-Barr Virus linked to Autoimmune Trigger in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
STANFORD,CA – Teh common Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),which infects the vast majority of people during childhood or adolescence,may play a direct role in triggering systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE),a serious autoimmune disease,according to research published in Science Translational Medicine (2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.ady0210). A team at Stanford has discovered that EBV can reprogram B cells – a type of immune cell – into antigen-presenting cells, perhaps initiating the autoimmune attack characteristic of lupus.
Lupus erythematosus occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. While cutaneous lupus is limited to the skin, the systemic form of the disease can severely impact vital organs including the kidneys, joints, and heart, posing a threat to nearly every part of the body. This new understanding of EBV’s role in B cell function also offers a potential clarification for the success seen with CAR T-cell therapy in treating the disease.
