This Week in Virology TWiV 1273: EBV and lupus have not escaped our notice
Nov 23, 2025
The hosts delve into the groundbreaking 1953 paper by Watson and Crick, unraveling the double helix structure of DNA. They also discuss the intriguing connection between Epstein-Barr virus and systemic lupus erythematosus, highlighting how EBV can reprogram autoreactive B cells. Key findings reveal a higher frequency of EBV-positive B cells in lupus patients, suggesting a model where EBV infects these cells, driving autoimmune responses. Insightful debates on Rosalind Franklin's contributions to DNA research round out an educational and thought-provoking discussion.
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The Famous One-Page DNA Paper
- Watson and Crick's 1953 Nature note was remarkably concise and influential despite no experiments reported.
- The phrase "it has not escaped our notice" elegantly suggested base pairing and replication.
Rosalind Franklin's Role Reassessed
- Vincent and Kathy discussed the history around Watson and Crick, including Rosalind Franklin's role and later biographies revisiting her contributions.
- Nathaniel Comfort and Matthew Cobb argued Franklin was an equal contributor based on her notes and drafts.
EBV Linked Mechanistically To Lupus
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is strongly linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through reprogramming of B cells.
- The paper uses novel single-cell techniques to define how EBV drives autoimmune responses in lupus patients.
