Lack of evidence for an involvement of Epstein‐Barr virus infection of synovial membranes in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

• Published in: Arthritis and rheumatism 2000-01, Vol.43 (1), p.151-154
• Main Authors: Niedobitek, Gerald, Lisner, Renate, Swoboda, Bernd, Rooney, Nick, Fassbender, Hans Georg, Kirchner, Thomas, Aigner, Thomas, Herbst, Hermann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, CD - analysis; Antigens, CD20 - analysis; Antigens, Viral - analysis; Antigens, Viral - genetics; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - immunology; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - pathology; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - virology; Biological and medical sciences; CD79 Antigens; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - genetics; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - immunology; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - pathology; Female; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains - genetics; Inflammatory joint diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Plasma Cells - chemistry; Plasma Cells - immunology; Plasma Cells - virology; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Synovial Membrane - immunology; Synovial Membrane - pathology; Synovial Membrane - virology
• ISSN: 0004-3591; 1529-0131
• DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(200001)43:1<151::AID-ANR19>3.0.CO;2-I

Objective To test the hypothesis that Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection of cells within the synovial membrane contributes to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Biopsy samples of synovial membrane from 37 patients with RA and from 51 patients with other joint diseases were studied for evidence of EBV infection using in situ hybridization specific for the EBV‐encoded RNAs (EBERs). Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and the lytic‐cycle BZLF1 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Rare EBER‐positive B lymphocytes were detected in 7 RA biopsy samples. EBV was not detectable in any other cells. Expression of the LMP1 and BZLF1 proteins of EBV was not observed in any of the samples. No EBV infection was detected in synovial membranes from patients with other joint diseases. Conclusion Our data indicate that EBV infection is not directly involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Any contribution of EBV to the pathogenic process leading to RA is likely to be indirect.