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RNA Viruses and Autoimmunity: A Short Overview

  • Massimo GalliEmail author
  • Giorgio Bozzi
  • Andrea Giacomelli
Chapter
First Online:

Abstract

RNA viruses are a large group of widespread and extremely prevalent pathogens capable of eliciting a broad spectrum of innate and adaptive immune responses. Additionally, persistent infection by some RNA viruses can induce or enhance accelerated immune activation. The hypothesis that molecular mimicry is implicated in autoimmunity was first proposed in 1987. Since then, a growing evidence from medical literature of a possible role for viral infection in autoimmunity has risen. In particular, enteroviruses have been investigated as possible causes of type 1 diabetes. Some hypotheses have put forward the possible implication of hepatitis A virus in autoimmune phenomena. The two most prevalent RNA viruses causing chronic infection, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), are both associated with autoimmune disorders. HCV can trigger and sustain a clonal B-cell expansion which causes a wide spectrum of autoimmune/lymphoproliferative disorders, through a multistep process. Similarly, HIV is responsible for derangement of the immune regulation and is associated with some autoimmune disorders, such as autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Nevertheless, a formal scientific demonstration of an etiological relationship between any RNA virus and a major autoimmune disease has not yet been obtained.

Keywords

Hepatitis A virus Hepatitis C virus Enterovirus Human immunodeficiency virus Cryoglobulinemia 

Abbreviations

AHA

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

ANA

Antinuclear antibody

Anti-LKM

Anti-liver/kidney microsomal antibodies

CA

Coxsackie A viruses

cART

Combined antiretroviral therapy

CB

Coxsackie B viruses

CD4+ T cells

Helper T lymphocytes

CV

Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis

DCM

Dilated cardiomyopathy

DM

Dermatomyositis

GAD65

Glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantigen

MGN

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

HAV

Hepatitis A virus

HCV

Hepatitis C virus

HIV-1

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1

IRIS

Immune restoration inflammatory syndrome

PM

Polymyositis

PsA

Psoriatic arthritis

RA

Rheumatoid arthritis

RNA

Ribonucleic acid

SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus

T1D

Type 1 diabetes

TCR

T-cell receptor

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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  • Massimo Galli
    • 1
    Email author
  • Giorgio Bozzi
    • 1
  • Andrea Giacomelli
    • 1
  1. 1.Infectious Diseases UnitUniversity of Milan, L. Sacco HospitalMilanItaly

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