Viral Infection and Autoimmune Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

In the development of autoimmune diseases, the effects of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, are assumed as environmental factors. While some rheumatic diseases have a high incidence only in the endemic area of ​​the virus, there are reports showing a link between the universally present virus and autoimmune diseases. The mechanism by which the virus stimulates ligands in the innate immune system to produce type I interferon is being elucidated. However, the detailed induction mechanism of how the virus causes immune disorders in the clinical pathology of autoimmune diseases has not been clarified.

In this Special Issue, we discuss the involvement of viral infections in rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Sjögren's syndrome, type 1 diabetes, thyroid diseases, and neurological diseases. In addition, we would like to specifically evaluate the inflammation-inducing mechanism, organ damage, and effects on autoantibody production associated with virus infection. We hope that these reviews will help readers understand how viral infections are involved in autoimmune diseases and help in the differential diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Prof. Dr. Hideki Nakamura
Prof. Dr. Masami Takei
Guest Editors

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