Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Herpes simplex virus and the rheumatic diseases

  • Viruses
  • Published:
Rheumatology International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A viral aetiology for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory connective tissue diseases has been sought in general terms first, by studying viral growth patterns in lymphocytes from the blood and lesions of patients affected second, by analysing lymphocyte concentrations of the interferon-induced enzyme 2–5 oligo-adenylate synthetase (2–5 A); and third, by probing Southern blots of lymphocyte DNA with viral probes. Indirect evidence consistent with a viral aetiology has been found in several such diseases, but direct proof has been difficult to adduce. There is some suggestion that herpes simplex viral (HSV) DNA is present in Behcet's blood lymphocytes, but the findings are inconsistent. It is also plausible that viruses such as HSV do not induce these diseases through classic immunopathological mechanisms, but as “promoters” of abnormal lymphoproliferation in individuals with predisposing defects, possibly related to selective DNA repair defects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Denman AM, Pinder M, Pelton BK, Kinsley M (1975) Virus infection of lymphoreticular cells and auto-immune disease. Transplant Rev 31:79–90

    Google Scholar 

  2. Appleford DJA, Denman AM (1979) Fate of herpes simplex virus in lymphocytes from inflammatory joint effusions. II Mechanisms of non-permissiveness. Ann Rheum Dis 38:450–459

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bacon TH, Denman AM (1985) The use of interferon in diseases of uncertain aetiology. In: Finter NB, Oldham RK (eds) Interferon, vol. 4: In vivo and clinical studies. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 217–234

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hylton W, Cayley J, Dore C, Denman AM (1988) 2′5′ oligoadenylate synthetase induction in lymphocytes of patients with connective tissue diseases. Ann Rheum Dis 45:220–224

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bonass WA, Stewart JA, Chamberlain MA, Halliburton I (1986) Molecular studies in Behçet's disease. In: Lehner T, Barnes CG (eds) Recent advances in Behcet's disease. Royal Society of Medicine Services, London, pp 37–41

    Google Scholar 

  6. Pelton BK, Malkowsky M, Dinning WD, Denman AM (1989) Herpes simplex virus infection and Behcet's syndrom. In: Proceedings 4th Behcet's symposium (in press)

  7. Denman AM, Fialkow PJ, Pelton BK, Salo AC, Appleford DJA, Gilchrist C (1980) Lymphocyte abnormalities in Behçet's syndrome. Clin Exp Immunol 42:175–180

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hussain L, Ward R, Barnes CG, Lehner T (1986) Antibodies to herpes simplex virus in polyethylene glycol precipitable complexes in sera from patients with Behcet's disease and controls. In: Lehner T, Barnes CG (eds) Recent advances in Behçet's disease. Royal Society of Medicine Services, London, pp 73–77

    Google Scholar 

  9. Pelton BK, Duncan IB, Denman AM (1980) Herpes simplex virus depresses antibody production by affecting T cell function. Nature 284:176–177

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ford DK, Rosa DM da (1984) Further observations on the response of synovial lymphocytes to viral antigens in rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 13:113–117

    Google Scholar 

  11. Denman AM (1986) Lymphocytes — dolphins for enlightening rheumatological investigators? J Rheumatol 13:9–12

    Google Scholar 

  12. Pelton BK, Harvey AR, Denman AM (1985) The rheumatoid synovial membrane participates in systemic anti-viral immune responses. Clin Exp Immunol 62:657–661

    Google Scholar 

  13. Brennan FM, Allard S, Londei M, Savill C, Boylston A, Carrel S, Maini RN, Feldmann M (1988) Heterogeneity of T cell receptor idiotypes in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Immunol 73:417–423

    Google Scholar 

  14. Tyndall AV de, Bacon TH, Parry R, Tyrrell DJA, Denman AM, Ansell BM (1984) Infection and inteferon production in systemic juvenile chronic arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 43:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  15. Palmer RG, Dore CJ, Denman AM (1986) Sister chromatid exchange frequencies in lymphocytes of controls and patients with connective tissue diseases. Mutat Res 162:113–120

    Google Scholar 

  16. Palmer RG, Dore C, Denman AM (1984) Chlorambucil-induced chromosome damage to human lymphocytes is dose-dependent and cumulative. Lancet I:246–349

    Google Scholar 

  17. Lawley PD, Topper R, Denman AM, Hylton W, Hill ID, Harris G (1988) Increased sensitivity of lymphocytes from patients with systemic autoimmune diseases to DNA alkylation by the methylating carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Ann Reum Dis 47:449–451

    Google Scholar 

  18. Cairns J, Overbaugh J, Miller S (1988) The origin of mutants. Nature 335:142–145

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Immunological Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, HA1 3UJ, Harrow, Middlesex, UK

    A. M. Denman, B. K. Pelton, W. Hylton, R. G. Palmer & R. Topper

Authors
  1. A. M. Denman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. K. Pelton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. Hylton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. G. Palmer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R. Topper
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Denman, A.M., Pelton, B.K., Hylton, W. et al. Herpes simplex virus and the rheumatic diseases. Rheumatol Int 9, 143–146 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271871

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271871

Key words

Search

Navigation