The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) — a common virus that infects over 90% of adults — may be linked to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and other autoimmune liver diseases, according to a recent study published in the journal AMB Express.
Autoimmune diseases happen when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Scientists already know that EBV is connected to several autoimmune diseases, like lupus, Sjögren’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. But there haven’t been many studies on how EBV might be related to autoimmune liver diseases.
Some reports suggest that EBV might trigger autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and some studies show a link between EBV and PBC. Still, scientists don’t yet understand exactly how EBV might cause these conditions. This study tried to find out whether EBV actually plays a role.
The researchers found that certain antibodies the body makes to fight EBV — called anti-EBV EBNA-1 antibodies — were linked to a lower risk of autoimmune hepatitis. They think this may be because EBNA-1 can block a pathway (called NF-κB) that causes inflammation, which might help protect against AIH.
But another type of antibody — anti-EBV ZEBRA antibodies — was linked to a higher risk of PBC. The scientists believe that the ZEBRA protein may cause the immune system to release chemicals that increase inflammation, which could lead to PBC.
Read more about PBC causes and risk factors
“These findings highlight the need for further mechanistic studies to elucidate the specific and clear link between EBV infection and AILDs,” the researchers said. “Understanding these mechanisms is essential to optimize surveillance and early diagnosis, ultimately leading to more effective management and treatment strategies.”
However, the study had some limitations. Most of the data came from adults of European ancestry, and the researchers didn’t look at differences between men and women or different age groups. These limits may affect how well the results apply to other populations.
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