MANGANESE SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE AS A TARGET OF AUTOANTIBODIES IN ACUTEEPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS INFECTION

Antibodies directed against the autoantigen p26 were detected in sera from 32 patients with acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and cli nical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis. P26 has now been identifie d as the enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) by comparison o f the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. Antibodies against MnSOD belon g to the immunoglobulin class M. They are not detectable in sera of pa tients with other herpesvirus infections. In the 32 patients investiga ted, the rise and fall of the autoantibodies coincides with the clinic al symptoms. In vitro, the autoantibodies were shown to inhibit the di smutation of superoxide radicals by blocking MnSOD. As presented in th e discussion this effect may contribute to the pathogenesis of acute E BV infection.