Epstein-Barr Virus in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Figure 1

Epstein-Barr virus structure and infection of cells. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is comprised of a dsDNA genome inside an icosahedral capsid which is surrounded by the tegument and enclosed by a host cell membrane-derived envelope. During infection with EBV, different envelope glycoproteins (gps) (shown in different colors) induce viral entry. During viral entry of B-cells, viral gp350 binds to type 2 complement receptor (CD21) on B-cells, and via a complex of gp42, gH, and gL, fusion of the cell membrane and the viral envelope is induced through (major histocompatibility complex) MHC II on the B-cell. During viral entry of epithelial cells, viral BMRF2 binds to β1-integrins on the epithelial cell, and fusion of the membranes is facilitated by a complex of gH and gL. gp110 improves the efficiency of EBV to infect B-cells and epithelial cells. EBV can also infect T-cells; however, the mechanism of viral entry is unknown (?). BCR: B-cell receptor, TCR: T-cell receptor.