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Viruses
Special Issues
Viruses and Autoimmunity
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Viruses and Autoimmunity

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Viruses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2020) | Viewed by 20311

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Santo Landolfo

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Guest Editor
Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
Interests: innate immunity; DNA sensors; tumor viruses
Prof. Dr. Pier Luigi Meroni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Immunorheumatology Research Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20145 Milano, Italy
Interests: autoimmunity; autoimmune disease; cellular biology; molecular biology; cellular pathways; self-tolerance; molecular mechanisms; pathogenesis; therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

A large body of evidence suggests that several factors are involved in the induction or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases.These include the genetic profile of the individual along with environmental triggers such as infectious agents. Chronic inflammatory responses to infections have indeed been associated with the initiation and exacerbation of autoimmune diseases. In this context, viruses usually trigger a potent innate and adaptative immune response needed to limit the infection. In some instances, however, a deficiency in the control of this immune response may lead to harmful immune reactions directed against the self antigens. The autoimmune attack can be executed through different mechanisms of the immune response including molecular mimicry, bystander activation, and epitope spreading among others. In addition, the immune response may trigger an exaggerated inflammatory reaction which by itself is dangerous for the tissues mimicking the clinical picture reported in the so-called auto-inflammatory diseases. Thus, the aim of this Special Issue is to give an overall picture about the involvement of viral infections in triggering or exacerbating autoimmune/autoinflammatory diseases. To this purpose, we welcome the submission of research articles, review articles and short communications related to all aspects of virus-host interaction, therapy and prevention of autoimmune/auto-inflammatory diseases.

Prof. Dr. Santo Landolfo
Prof. Dr. Pier Luigi Meroni
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • viruses
  • viral infections
  • antiviral immunity
  • innate and adaptive immunity
  • autoimmune diseases
  • autoinflammatory diseases

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

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33 pages, 1659 KiB  
Review
Viral Infections and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: New Players in an Old Story
by Marco Quaglia, Guido Merlotti, Marco De Andrea, Cinzia Borgogna and Vincenzo Cantaluppi
Viruses 2021, 13(2), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13020277 - 11 Feb 2021
Cited by 62 | Viewed by 8031
Abstract
A causal link between viral infections and autoimmunity has been studied for a long time and the role of some viruses in the induction or exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in genetically predisposed patients has been proved. The strength of the association [...] Read more.
A causal link between viral infections and autoimmunity has been studied for a long time and the role of some viruses in the induction or exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in genetically predisposed patients has been proved. The strength of the association between different viral agents and SLE is variable. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), parvovirus B19 (B19V), and human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are involved in SLE pathogenesis, whereas other viruses such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) probably play a less prominent role. However, the mechanisms of viral–host interactions and the impact of viruses on disease course have yet to be elucidated. In addition to classical mechanisms of viral-triggered autoimmunity, such as molecular mimicry and epitope spreading, there has been a growing appreciation of the role of direct activation of innate response by viral nucleic acids and epigenetic modulation of interferon-related immune response. The latter is especially important for HERVs, which may represent the molecular link between environmental triggers and critical immune genes. Virus-specific proteins modulating interaction with the host immune system have been characterized especially for Epstein–Barr virus and explain immune evasion, persistent infection and self-reactive B-cell “immortalization”. Knowledge has also been expanding on key viral proteins of B19-V and CMV and their possible association with specific phenotypes such as antiphospholipid syndrome. This progress may pave the way to new therapeutic perspectives, including the use of known or new antiviral drugs, postviral immune response modulation and innate immunity inhibition. We herein describe the state-of-the-art knowledge on the role of viral infections in SLE, with a focus on their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viruses and Autoimmunity)
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29 pages, 1450 KiB  
Review
Human Cytomegalovirus and Autoimmune Diseases: Where Are We?
by Francesca Gugliesi, Selina Pasquero, Gloria Griffante, Sara Scutera, Camilla Albano, Sergio Fernando Castillo Pacheco, Giuseppe Riva, Valentina Dell’Oste and Matteo Biolatti
Viruses 2021, 13(2), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13020260 - 8 Feb 2021
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 7813
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the β-subgroup of the herpesvirus family. After the initial infection, the virus establishes latency in poorly differentiated myeloid precursors from where it can reactivate at later times to cause recurrences. In immunocompetent [...] Read more.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the β-subgroup of the herpesvirus family. After the initial infection, the virus establishes latency in poorly differentiated myeloid precursors from where it can reactivate at later times to cause recurrences. In immunocompetent subjects, primary HCMV infection is usually asymptomatic, while in immunocompromised patients, HCMV infection can lead to severe, life-threatening diseases, whose clinical severity parallels the degree of immunosuppression. The existence of a strict interplay between HCMV and the immune system has led many to hypothesize that HCMV could also be involved in autoimmune diseases (ADs). Indeed, signs of active viral infection were later found in a variety of different ADs, such as rheumatological, neurological, enteric disorders, and metabolic diseases. In addition, HCMV infection has been frequently linked to increased production of autoantibodies, which play a driving role in AD progression, as observed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Documented mechanisms of HCMV-associated autoimmunity include molecular mimicry, inflammation, and nonspecific B-cell activation. In this review, we summarize the available literature on the various ADs arising from or exacerbating upon HCMV infection, focusing on the potential role of HCMV-mediated immune activation at disease onset. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viruses and Autoimmunity)
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8 pages, 849 KiB  
Case Report
The Pivotal Role of Viruses in the Pathogeny of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Monoclonal (Type 1) IgG K Cryoglobulinemia and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Diagnosis in the Course of a Human Metapneumovirus Infection
by Jérémy Barben, Alain Putot, Anca-Maria Mihai, Jérémie Vovelle and Patrick Manckoundia
Viruses 2021, 13(1), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/v13010115 - 16 Jan 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3435
Abstract
Background: Type-1 cryoglobulinemia (CG) is a rare disease associated with B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Some viral infections, such as Epstein–Barr Virus infections, are known to cause malignant lymphoproliferation, like certain B-cell lymphomas. However, their role in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is [...] Read more.
Background: Type-1 cryoglobulinemia (CG) is a rare disease associated with B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Some viral infections, such as Epstein–Barr Virus infections, are known to cause malignant lymphoproliferation, like certain B-cell lymphomas. However, their role in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is still debatable. Here, we report a unique case of Type-1 CG associated to a CLL transformation diagnosed in the course of a human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection. Case presentation: A 91-year-old man was initially hospitalized for delirium. In a context of febrile rhinorrhea, the diagnosis of hMPV infection was made by molecular assay (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swab. Owing to hyperlymphocytosis that developed during the course of the infection and unexplained peripheral neuropathy, a type-1 IgG Kappa CG secondary to a CLL was diagnosed. The patient was not treated for the CLL because of Binet A stage classification and his poor physical condition. Conclusions: We report the unique observation in the literature of CLL transformation and hMPV infection. We provide a mini review on the pivotal role of viruses in CLL pathophysiology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viruses and Autoimmunity)
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