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A study conducted by scientists at Cincinnati Children’s reports that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that causes mononucleosis also increases the risks of seven other major diseases. Those diseases are: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes. The study shows that a protein produced by the Epstein-Barr virus, called EBNA2, binds to multiple locations along the human genome that are associated with these seven diseases. Viral or bacterial infections, poor diet, pollution or hazardous exposure can interact with the human genetic blueprint and have disease-influencing consequences.
Components made by the virus interact with human DNA in the places where the genetic risk of disease is increased. EBV is a strikingly common virus, once infected, the virus remains in people forever. Mononucleosis, which causes weeks of extreme fatigue, is the most common illness caused by EBV, the virus spreads primarily via contact with saliva. Scientists have linked EBV to a few other rare conditions, including certain cancers of the lymphatic system. When viral and bacterial infections strike human body respond by commanding B cells within the immune systems to crank out antibodies to battle the invaders. However, when EBV infections occur, something unusual happens. The EBV virus invades the B cells, re-programs them, and takes over control of their functions.
Human have about 1,600 known transcription factors at work within the genome. Each cell uses a subset of these to become what they are and to respond to their environment. These proteins constantly move along the strands of human DNA, turning specific genes on and off to make sure cells function as expected. However, when the transcription factors change what they do, the normal functions of the cell can also change, and that can lead to disease. The EBNA2 transcription factor from EBV is helping how infected B cells operate, and how the body responds to infected cells. Seven unrelated disease states actually share a common set of abnormal transcription factors, each affected by the EBNA2 protein from the Epstein-Barr virus. When these EBNA2-related clusters of transcription factors attach themselves to one portion of the genetic code, the risk of lupus rise. When those same transcription factors land on another part of the code, the risk of multiple sclerosis appears to rise, and other diseases.
The symptoms of this condition include extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, head and body aches, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, swollen liver or spleen or both, and rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people get better in two to four weeks. However, some people may feel fatigued for several weeks. B cells are a type of white blood cell found in the immune system. These cells produce antibodies in reaction to infections by bacteria, viruses and other invaders. Epstein-Barr virus infects a small proportion of these cells. Transcription factors are proteins that “turn on and turn off” genes. These proteins direct cell growth, division, and death. They also control cell migration and organization. There are about 1,600 known human transcription factors that do their work along the human genome. These proteins change the expression of genes to make RNA, which in many cases results in forming other proteins that change how cells form and function.
The DNA genome of an individual contains over 3 billion DNA bases. Most of the bases are exactly the same for every person. However, about 1 percent of the bases can be different and these create diversity between people. The variants can change the way proteins are made or change the regulatory processes that lead to protein production. When a DNA variant is known to increase risk for a disease, it is called a genetic risk variant. Some variants increase risk for multiple diseases, and some variants are specific to a single disease.
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