Beta-Herpesvirus Infection and Possible Cooperation in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

The pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases remains largely unknown; however, accumulating evidence suggests that autoimmune disorders could be the result of multifactorial processes. Among the involved/predisposing factors, persistent/latent viral infections, such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infections, have been suggested as possibly being involved in the pathogenesis of a number of autoimmune diseases. Both viruses belong to the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily of the Herpesviridae family, are genetically related, have a common tropism and pathogenic characteristics and have a worldwide distribution, with primary infection usually being sustained early in life and then establishing a latent lifelong infection in the host. It is known that HCMV and HHV-6 can interact by reactivating each other, so that one virus may potentiate the effect of the other virus in coinfected patients. Thus, it might be hypothesized that in subjects with impaired ability to control herpesvirus infection/reactivation, the simultaneous presence of both viruses might lead to even worse effects compared to those resulting from a single infection. Studies on human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7), a beta-herpesvirus belonging to the Roseolovirus genus (as HHV-6) but still lacking pathogenic association with a specific disease, would be also needed to improve and deepen the current knowledge about the potential of beta-herpesvirus in the development of autoimmune diseases.

This Special Issue aims to expand the knowledge on the role of beta-herpesvirus, also considering possible cooperation, in the pathogenesis of specific autoimmune diseases and the contribution of potential underlying mechanisms triggering the development of these disorders, also opening new perspectives about the potential therapeutic use of antiherpetic drugs able to block illness progression.

Research articles, communications and reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Maria-Cristina Arcangeletti
Prof. Dr. Elisabetta Caselli
Guest Editors

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