Relationships between human parvovirus B19 VP1 unique region protein and autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Human parvovirus B19, generally referred to as B19 virus, has been closely associated with a variety of different autoimmune diseases due to the features of its capsid protein. B19 virus VP1 unique region protein that has sites of phospholipase A2 and several antigenic determinants is exposed on the outside of the viral capsid protein. As a result of that, B19 virus VP1 unique region protein can stimulate the host to produce autoantibodies, which induces and/or aggravates the autoimmune diseases. The biological characteristics of B19 virus VP1 unique region protein and its relationships with autoimmune diseases are described in this review based upon the published literatures and the work achieved by our research team. This review will be helpful to the prevention and treatment of B19 virus infection. Key words: Human parvovirus B19; VP1 unique region protein; Autoimmune disease; Phospholipase A2