The review covers the role the U94 gene product plays in the virus’s life cycle, replication, and latency, as well as in the immune response.
The role of HHV-6 in dysregulating autophagy
HHV-6, like some other herpesviruses, dysregulates autophagy in multiple cell types, with important biological consequences.
iciHHV-6 not found to increase the risk of chronic autoimmune disease
Japanese investigators found no cases of iciHHV6 among 846 patients with several chronic autoimmune diseases
No HHV-6 DNA found in the spinal fluid of immunocompetent adults evaluated for limbic encephalitis
While HHV-6B is well known to cause limbic encephalitis in transplant patients, it does not appear to play a role in other forms of limbic encephalitis.
HHV-6A detected in the skin biopsies of systemic sclerosis patients
A group led by Elisabetta Caselli at University of Ferrara discovered HHV-6A in the skin and elevated levels of HHV6-B in the peripheral blood of systemic sclerosis patients
HHV-6B is found at higher levels in the pancreatic islets of type 1 diabetes patients
Investigators from the La Jolla Institute of Immunology used high-resolution confocal microscopy to detect high levels of HHV-6 protein in the pancreatic islet cells from donors with type 1 diabetes.
HHV-6 and EBV found in the brain tissue of Rasmussen’s Encephalitis patients
Chinese investigators found a high prevalence of HHV-6 and Epstein Barr virus in the brain tissues of children with Rasmussen’s encephalitis but in none of the controls. There was a significant association between viral presence and brain atrophy, raising a strong suspicion for the involvement of both viruses.
HHV-6B found in the islet cells of both type 1 diabetes patients and controls
Swedish investigators have found HHV-6 protein in the pancreatic islet cells of both type 1 diabetes patients and controls. The viral load was higher in the islet cells than in surrounding tissues. Unfortunately, they did not provide data on the difference between patients and controls in the viral load.
Antibodies to herpesvirus dUTPase a potential biomarker for Gulf War Illness and CFS
Antibodies to HHV-6 and VZV dUTPases were significantly elevated in Gulf War Illness patients compared to controls, and EBV dUTPase antibodies were elevated in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients.
miRNA changes by HHV-6A parallel those found in autoimmune thyroid disease
Investigators by at the University of Ferrara report intriguing alterations in intracellular regulation of HHV-6A-infected thyrocytes and T cells. HHV-6A, but not HHV-6B nor HHV-7, altered expression of several microRNAs in a pattern that is considered a marker for patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.
GAD antibodies & HHV-6 limbic encephalitis – a case of molecular mimicry?
A fifth case of limbic encephalitis associated with GAD antibodies and HHV-6 infection has been reported, this time in an immunocompetent woman with chromosomally integrated HHV-6, epilepsy, and psychosis. The patient’s condition improved (with a drop in GAD antibody titers and stabilization of psychotic symptoms) in response to three weeks of antiviral therapy but relapsed when antiviral therapy was withdrawn.
Epstein-Barr Virus and Human herpes virus 6 Type A DNA Enhance IL-17 Production in Mice
Since both HHV-6 and EBV have been associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disease development, a group at the American University of Beirut studied whether viral DNA might be capable of triggering IL-17, a cytokine associated with autoimmune disease. They injected BALB/c mice intraperitoneally with either EBV or HHV-6A DNA. They found that both IL-17 and IL-23 were markedly elevated.
HHV-6 as a trigger of autoimmune disease?
Researchers discuss the potential mechanisms by which HHV-6A/B may contribute to autoimmune disease
Does HHV-6 cause thyroiditis and autoimmunity in patients with drug hypersensitivity?
Case report describes two cases of DRESS related thyroiditis with very high levels of HHV-6 reactivation that go on to develop autoimmunity.
Study shows HHV-6 reactivation is disproportionately elevated among patients with autoimmune connective tissue disease
New study from Italy indicates that HHV-6 reactivation is selectively increased among patients suffering from autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTD).