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Molecular mimicry as a mechanism of viral immune evasion and autoimmunity

Author

Listed:
  • Cole Maguire

    (Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Chumeng Wang

    (Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Akshara Ramasamy

    (Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Cara Fonken

    (Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Brinkley Morse

    (Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Nathan Lopez

    (Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Dennis Wylie

    (Center for Biomedical Research Support, The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Esther Melamed

    (Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin)

Abstract

Mimicry of host protein structures, or ‘molecular mimicry’, is a common mechanism employed by viruses to evade the host’s immune system. Short linear amino acid (AA) molecular mimics can elicit cross-reactive antibodies and T cells from the host, but the prevalence of such mimics throughout the human virome has not been fully explored. Here we evaluate 134 human-infecting viruses and find significant usage of linear mimicry across the virome, particularly those in the Herpesviridae and Poxviridae families. Furthermore, host proteins related to cellular replication and inflammation, autosomes, the X chromosome, and thymic cells are enriched as viral mimicry targets. Finally, we find that short linear mimicry from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is higher in auto-antibodies found in patients with multiple sclerosis than previously appreciated. Our results thus hint that human-infecting viruses leverage mimicry in the course of their infection, and that such mimicry may contribute to autoimmunity, thereby prompting potential targets for therapies.

Suggested Citation

  • Cole Maguire & Chumeng Wang & Akshara Ramasamy & Cara Fonken & Brinkley Morse & Nathan Lopez & Dennis Wylie & Esther Melamed, 2024. "Molecular mimicry as a mechanism of viral immune evasion and autoimmunity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-53658-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53658-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tobias V. Lanz & R. Camille Brewer & Peggy P. Ho & Jae-Seung Moon & Kevin M. Jude & Daniel Fernandez & Ricardo A. Fernandes & Alejandro M. Gomez & Gabriel-Stefan Nadj & Christopher M. Bartley & Ryan D, 2022. "Clonally expanded B cells in multiple sclerosis bind EBV EBNA1 and GlialCAM," Nature, Nature, vol. 603(7900), pages 321-327, March.
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