Manganese superoxide dismutase as a target of autoantibodies in acute Epstein-Barr virus infection

Antibodies directed against the autoantigen p26 were detected in sera from 32 patients with acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and clinical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis. P26 has now been identified as the enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) by comparison of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. Antibodies against MnSOD belong to the immunoglobulin class M. They are not detectable in sera of patients with other herpesvirus infections. In the 32 patients investigated, the rise and fall of the autoantibodies coincides with the clinical symptoms. In vitro, the autoantibodies were shown to inhibit the dismutation of superoxide radicals by blocking MnSOD. As presented in the discussion this effect may contribute to the pathogenesis of acute EBV infection.