Persistent measles virus genome in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (AICAH) is a complex liver disease with uncertain etiology.
• Measles virus (MeV) infection is known to trigger immune responses and has been implicated in various autoimmune conditions.
• Previous observations suggest a link between measles and abnormal immune responses in certain diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of persistent measles virus genome in lymphocytes of patients with AICAH.
• To explore the correlation between measles virus persistence and antibody titers in AICAH patients.
• To assess the prevalence of measles virus genome in control groups, including patients with other autoimmune diseases.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a radiolabeled 50-base oligonucleotide probe specific to the measles virus nucleocapsid gene.
• Screened lymphocytes from 18 AICAH patients and 45 control individuals (including healthy controls, measles patients, systemic lupus erythematosus, and cryptogenic cirrhosis patients).
• Detected positive hybridization indicating persistent measles virus genome.

Main Results:

• Identified persistent measles virus genome in lymphocytes of 12 out of 18 AICAH patients.
• Observed a strong correlation between positive hybridization and high antibody titers to measles in AICAH patients.
• Found positive hybridization in one patient with measles, one patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, and two patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis among controls.

Conclusions:

• Partial persistence of the measles virus genome in AICAH lymphocytes is evident.
• This persistence may play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.
• The findings suggest potential implications for other disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and Paget's disease, where abnormal measles immune responses are noted.