How Epstein Barr virus shapes lupus autoimmunity: mechanistic insights and therapeutic perspectives

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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is strongly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), influencing its pathogenesis in genetically susceptible individuals.
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SLE patients exhibit higher EBV seropositivity, increased viral loads, and more frequent viral reactivations compared to healthy individuals.
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Recent studies show that EBV-infected B cells in SLE are transcriptionally distinct and actively drive autoimmunity by enhancing antigen presentation.
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The dysregulated immune response to EBV in SLE is linked to defects in EBV-specific CD8+ T cells and compensatory expansion of CD4+ T cells.
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Emerging therapeutic strategies for SLE may target EBV reservoirs and involve B-cell therapies, T-cell approaches, and vaccines.

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