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Published on: June 16, 2011
Integrity and full coding sequence of B19 virus DNA persisting in human synovial tissue
K Hokynar1, J Brunstein, M Söderlund-Venermo
1Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, PL 21 (Haartmaninkatu 3), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
The Journal of General Virology
|March 22, 2000
Summary
Human parvovirus B19 DNA persists in joint tissue long-term, even without arthritis symptoms. This viral DNA remains intact and is not due to specific mutations, suggesting a natural storage process.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Primary human parvovirus B19 infection can cause arthropathy, sometimes mimicking rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Long-term persistence of B19 DNA in synovial tissue has been observed in arthritis patients and even in asymptomatic individuals.
- Previous studies relied on limited sequence data from short DNA fragments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the nucleotide sequence and integrity of B19 genomes in synovial tissue.
- To compare persistent B19 DNA in synovium with that of recently infected individuals.
- To investigate if specific mutations or genotypes contribute to B19 synoviotropism or persistence.
Main Methods:
- Nucleotide sequencing of B19 genomes from synovial tissue.
- Examination of the integrity of viral protein-coding regions.
- Comparison of synovial B19 sequences with those from blood and bone marrow.
Main Results:
- Intact, continuous B19 DNA molecules were found in the synovial tissue of both previously and recently infected subjects.
- The persistence and synoviotropism of B19 DNA were not linked to exceptional mutations or specific genotype variants.
- Synovial B19 DNA sequences were similar to those reported from blood and bone marrow.
Conclusions:
- The presence of full-length B19 genomes in synovial tissue suggests a physiological long-term storage mechanism for foreign macromolecules.
- B19 virus DNA persistence in synovium is not driven by unique viral adaptations in this tissue.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of this viral persistence in joint health and disease.
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