Epstein-barr virus aggravates ulcerative colitis via macrophage pyroptosis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, relapsing disease that causes painful inflammation and ulcers in the colon. While its exact causes remain elusive, mounting evidence suggests that viral infections, particularly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), may worsen disease severity. Elevated EBV DNA and RNA levels have been detected in the colonic tissues of UC patients, correlating with more aggressive symptoms, higher risks of surgery, and poorer treatment responses. However, the precise mechanisms linking EBV to UC progression have remained a mystery. Given these challenges, scientists have been eager to unravel how EBV contributes to UC and explore new therapeutic strategies. In a pivotal study (DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbaf002) published on January 21, 2025, in Precision Clinical Medicine, researchers from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, investigated the role of EBV in UC. By analyzing tissue samples from UC patients and conducting experiments in mouse models infected with murine…
