Dr. T
@catchthis.bsky.social
Patent Agent by day, but really... I'm the virus girl. Who are you?
Check out my YouTube channel and my articles at virology blog!
(She/her/hers)
Check out my YouTube channel and my articles at virology blog!
(She/her/hers)
Similarly, the HPV vaccine appears to protect against cervical cancer even when given post-infection, also by reducing reactivation of human papillomavirus. The development of an EBV vaccine would therefore represent a highly anticipated advance in public health. (end)
December 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Similarly, the HPV vaccine appears to protect against cervical cancer even when given post-infection, also by reducing reactivation of human papillomavirus. The development of an EBV vaccine would therefore represent a highly anticipated advance in public health. (end)
This concept parallels the mechanism of action of the shingles vaccine, which may lower the risk of dementia by reducing reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus. 18/
December 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
This concept parallels the mechanism of action of the shingles vaccine, which may lower the risk of dementia by reducing reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus. 18/
...rheumatoid arthritis, and Long COVID. These associations highlight the potential value of an EBV vaccine, which would offer substantial benefits – even if administered later in life after initial infection – by suppressing viral reactivation and replication. 17/
December 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
...rheumatoid arthritis, and Long COVID. These associations highlight the potential value of an EBV vaccine, which would offer substantial benefits – even if administered later in life after initial infection – by suppressing viral reactivation and replication. 17/
Because EBV only rarely infects autoreactive B cells, most individuals infected with EBV will never develop lupus.
In addition to multiple sclerosis and lupus, EBV infection and reactivation have also been associated with other conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome... 16/
In addition to multiple sclerosis and lupus, EBV infection and reactivation have also been associated with other conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome... 16/
December 4, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Because EBV only rarely infects autoreactive B cells, most individuals infected with EBV will never develop lupus.
In addition to multiple sclerosis and lupus, EBV infection and reactivation have also been associated with other conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome... 16/
In addition to multiple sclerosis and lupus, EBV infection and reactivation have also been associated with other conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome... 16/
...host nuclear antigens. Autoreactive cells encounter their target frequently, leading to repeated activation and triggering of a cascade of autoimmune events. In contrast, when EBV infects non-autoreactive B cells, the risk of lupus does not increase. 15/
December 4, 2025 at 2:11 PM
...host nuclear antigens. Autoreactive cells encounter their target frequently, leading to repeated activation and triggering of a cascade of autoimmune events. In contrast, when EBV infects non-autoreactive B cells, the risk of lupus does not increase. 15/
...and progression.
Considering that about 95% of adults are infected with EBV, why do so few people develop lupus? This rarity appears to stem from the extremely low probability of EBV infecting an autoreactive B cell in the first place– an autoreactive cell recognizes... 14/
Considering that about 95% of adults are infected with EBV, why do so few people develop lupus? This rarity appears to stem from the extremely low probability of EBV infecting an autoreactive B cell in the first place– an autoreactive cell recognizes... 14/
December 4, 2025 at 2:10 PM
...and progression.
Considering that about 95% of adults are infected with EBV, why do so few people develop lupus? This rarity appears to stem from the extremely low probability of EBV infecting an autoreactive B cell in the first place– an autoreactive cell recognizes... 14/
Considering that about 95% of adults are infected with EBV, why do so few people develop lupus? This rarity appears to stem from the extremely low probability of EBV infecting an autoreactive B cell in the first place– an autoreactive cell recognizes... 14/
...gene expression patterns that promote antigen presentation and memory B cell differentiation from EBV-infected B cells. In other words, EBNA2 acts as a molecular switch, reprogramming EBV-infected B cells into an autoreactive state that provokes lupus development... 13/
December 4, 2025 at 2:10 PM
...gene expression patterns that promote antigen presentation and memory B cell differentiation from EBV-infected B cells. In other words, EBNA2 acts as a molecular switch, reprogramming EBV-infected B cells into an autoreactive state that provokes lupus development... 13/
...elevated concentrations of antibodies in the blood of lupus patients and functions as a key player in maintaining EBV latency. By integrating their sequencing results with previous evidence of EBNA2’s gene-binding activity, the authors discovered that EBNA2 drives the... 12/
December 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
...elevated concentrations of antibodies in the blood of lupus patients and functions as a key player in maintaining EBV latency. By integrating their sequencing results with previous evidence of EBNA2’s gene-binding activity, the authors discovered that EBNA2 drives the... 12/
Collectively, these findings suggest that in lupus patients, EBV-infected B cells can amplify autoimmunity by triggering a cascade of inflammatory immune responses.
At the core of this mechanism is Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), a viral protein that induces... 11/
At the core of this mechanism is Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), a viral protein that induces... 11/
December 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Collectively, these findings suggest that in lupus patients, EBV-infected B cells can amplify autoimmunity by triggering a cascade of inflammatory immune responses.
At the core of this mechanism is Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), a viral protein that induces... 11/
At the core of this mechanism is Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), a viral protein that induces... 11/
...which in turn stimulate additional B cells, even uninfected ones, to produce more autoantibodies. In contrast, EBV-infected B cells from healthy individuals did not have features characteristic of antigen presentation, nor did they produce autoantibodies. 10/
December 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
...which in turn stimulate additional B cells, even uninfected ones, to produce more autoantibodies. In contrast, EBV-infected B cells from healthy individuals did not have features characteristic of antigen presentation, nor did they produce autoantibodies. 10/
Remarkably, more than 60% of the antibodies produced by these cells in lupus patients were autoantibodies against nuclear antigen, and some also bound EBV proteins. This dual reactivity presumably enables EBV-infected B cells to present autoantigens to T cells... 9/
December 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Remarkably, more than 60% of the antibodies produced by these cells in lupus patients were autoantibodies against nuclear antigen, and some also bound EBV proteins. This dual reactivity presumably enables EBV-infected B cells to present autoantigens to T cells... 9/
...confirming a strong correlation between EBV infection and lupus.
Further analysis revealed that EBV-infected B cells in lupus patients exhibit memory B cell characteristics and express genes linked to antigen processing and presentation. 8/
Further analysis revealed that EBV-infected B cells in lupus patients exhibit memory B cell characteristics and express genes linked to antigen processing and presentation. 8/
December 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
...confirming a strong correlation between EBV infection and lupus.
Further analysis revealed that EBV-infected B cells in lupus patients exhibit memory B cell characteristics and express genes linked to antigen processing and presentation. 8/
Further analysis revealed that EBV-infected B cells in lupus patients exhibit memory B cell characteristics and express genes linked to antigen processing and presentation. 8/
...able to isolate and analyze these infected cells from blood samples using innovative EBV-specific single-cell sequencing techniques. The study revealed that lupus patients had about 25 times more EBV-positive B cells in the blood compared to healthy control patients... 7/
December 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
...able to isolate and analyze these infected cells from blood samples using innovative EBV-specific single-cell sequencing techniques. The study revealed that lupus patients had about 25 times more EBV-positive B cells in the blood compared to healthy control patients... 7/
Once inside B cells, the virus establishes a lifelong, latent infection, transforming these cells into memory B cells that can persist in the body indefinitely. Although EBV-infected B cells are rare and difficult to detect in the blood, the authors of a recent study were... 6/
December 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Once inside B cells, the virus establishes a lifelong, latent infection, transforming these cells into memory B cells that can persist in the body indefinitely. Although EBV-infected B cells are rare and difficult to detect in the blood, the authors of a recent study were... 6/
Typical symptoms during a lupus flare include intense fatigue, joint pain, fever, headaches, and a characteristic butterfly rash.
EBV infects both epithelial cells and B cells, the antibody-producing cells of the immune system. 5/
EBV infects both epithelial cells and B cells, the antibody-producing cells of the immune system. 5/
December 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Typical symptoms during a lupus flare include intense fatigue, joint pain, fever, headaches, and a characteristic butterfly rash.
EBV infects both epithelial cells and B cells, the antibody-producing cells of the immune system. 5/
EBV infects both epithelial cells and B cells, the antibody-producing cells of the immune system. 5/
...the body’s own healthy tissues and organs. Compared to healthy people, individuals with lupus have higher rates of EBV infection and more frequent viral reactivation, especially during disease flares. 4/
December 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
...the body’s own healthy tissues and organs. Compared to healthy people, individuals with lupus have higher rates of EBV infection and more frequent viral reactivation, especially during disease flares. 4/
Emerging evidence now suggests that EBV may also play a significant role in the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly known as #lupus.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly produces self-reactive “autoantibodies” that attack... 3/
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly produces self-reactive “autoantibodies” that attack... 3/
December 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Emerging evidence now suggests that EBV may also play a significant role in the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly known as #lupus.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly produces self-reactive “autoantibodies” that attack... 3/
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly produces self-reactive “autoantibodies” that attack... 3/
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human #herpesvirus that typically spreads through saliva and is known for causing infectious mononucleosis (i.e., “mono”). There is an established causal link between infection with EBV and the development of multiple sclerosis. 2/
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human #herpesvirus that typically spreads through saliva and is known for causing infectious mononucleosis (i.e., “mono”). There is an established causal link between infection with EBV and the development of multiple sclerosis. 2/
The multitude of effective vaccines available to us is a testament to scientific progress and should not be taken for granted. We truly live in remarkable times, where each day brings the prospect of new discoveries, improved treatments, and better disease prevention. (end)
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The multitude of effective vaccines available to us is a testament to scientific progress and should not be taken for granted. We truly live in remarkable times, where each day brings the prospect of new discoveries, improved treatments, and better disease prevention. (end)
Although the vaccines listed in this post and the previous one are representative, they do not encompass the entirety of current vaccine technology. Advances in research have yielded numerous novel ideas and platforms, many of which remain experimental. 28/29
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Although the vaccines listed in this post and the previous one are representative, they do not encompass the entirety of current vaccine technology. Advances in research have yielded numerous novel ideas and platforms, many of which remain experimental. 28/29
...vaccine used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. However, several other dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapies are in various stages of development for treatment of other cancers like melanoma and glioblastoma. 27/
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
...vaccine used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. However, several other dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapies are in various stages of development for treatment of other cancers like melanoma and glioblastoma. 27/
...and the cells would be injected back into the patient, where they would induce T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells displaying the antigens on the dendritic cell vaccine. The only dendritic cell vaccine licensed for use in humans is Sipuleucel-T, a therapeutic... 26/
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
...and the cells would be injected back into the patient, where they would induce T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells displaying the antigens on the dendritic cell vaccine. The only dendritic cell vaccine licensed for use in humans is Sipuleucel-T, a therapeutic... 26/
...to initiate an adaptive immune response. To make a dendritic cell vaccine against cancer, one would isolate dendritic cells from the blood sample of a cancer patient. The surfaces of the dendritic cells would then be artificially coated with tumor-associated antigens... 25/
November 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
...to initiate an adaptive immune response. To make a dendritic cell vaccine against cancer, one would isolate dendritic cells from the blood sample of a cancer patient. The surfaces of the dendritic cells would then be artificially coated with tumor-associated antigens... 25/