Human herpesvirus infections and circulating microvesicles expressing galectin-3 binding protein in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Objective. Circulating microvesicles (MVs) expressing the type 1 interferoninducible protein galectin-3 binding protein (G3BP) are potentially major sources of autoantigens in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we explore if plasma concentrations of G3BP-expressing MVs correlate with signs of various active human herpesvirus (HHV) infections in SLE patients, suggesting a virus-induced mechanism for the generation of these vesicles. Methods. In 49 SLE patients, the plasma levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp52, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) early antigen diffuse (EA/D), and HHV6 p41 were measured by ELISAs and used as humoral markers of ongoing/recently active viral infection. MVs in plateletpoor plasma were quantified and characterised by flow cytometry, with regard to the binding of Annexin V (AnxV) and the expression of G3BP. Spearman's rho and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were applied for associative evaluation of virus serology with MV subsets, and clinical and demographic data. Results. The CMV pp52-directed antibodies correlated positively with the high G3BP-expressing MVs; either low (rho=0.4, p-value=0.005) or high (rho=0.37, p-value=0.01) in AnxVexpression. Furthermore, these MV subsets were higher in individuals with high and low IgG levels against CMV pp52 and EBV EA/D, respectively, relative to subjects with low and high IgG levels against these HHV antigens. Importantly, none of the associations were explained by immunosuppressants or antimalarials. Conclusion. Ongoing/recently active CMV infection is associated with circulating MVs expressing G3BP in SLE patients, supporting a link between specific viral infections and potentially pathogenic MVs in SLE.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 158-161 |
Number of pages | 4 |
ISSN | 0392-856X |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2022.
- Antibodies, Galectin-3 binding protein, Human herpesvirus, Microvesicles, Systemic lupus erythematosus
Research areas
ID: 304064782