Study Unveils Broader Immune Response in EBV-MS Connection

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may have a greater effect on the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) than previously believed due to a higher level of cross-reactivity, which occurs when the immune system binds to the incorrect target.

Researchers examined blood samples from patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, healthy individuals infected with EBV, and patients recuperating from glandular fever brought on by a recent EBV infection. This research was published in the journal PLOS Pathogens.

As part of global efforts to comprehend how this common virus can contribute to the development of multiple sclerosis, the study looked into how the immune system responds to EBV infection, a connection that has been demonstrated for 20 years.

This study discovered that T-cells, another crucial immune system component that targets viral proteins, can also recognize brain proteins. Previous research has demonstrated that antibody responses to one EBV protein, EBNA1, also recognize a small number of proteins in the central nervous system.

The second significant finding is that both MS patients and non-patients have these cross-reactive T-cells. This shows that variations in the function of these immune cells may account for the development of MS in certain individuals following EBV infection.

The discovery of the link between Epstein-Barr Virus and Multiple Sclerosis has huge implications for our understanding of autoimmune disease, but we are still beginning to reveal the mechanisms that are involved. Our latest study shows that following Epstein-Barr virus infection there is a great deal more immune system misdirection, or cross-reactivity, than previously thought.”

Dr. Graham Taylor, Associate Professor and Study Corresponding Author, University of Birmingham

Dr. Graham Taylor said, “Our study has two main implications. First, the findings give greater weight to the idea that the link between EBV and multiple sclerosis is not due to uncontrolled virus infection in the body. Second, we have shown that the human immune system cross-recognizes a much broader array of EBV and central nervous system proteins than previously thought and that different patterns of cross-reactivity exist.”

Knowing this will help identify which proteins are important in MS and may provide targets for future personalized therapies.”

Dr. Graham Taylor, Associate Professor and Study Corresponding Author, University of Birmingham

T Cells are Involved

The researchers also discovered evidence during blood testing that many healthy people had cross-reactive T cells, which target proteins in the central nervous system and the Epstein-Barr virus.

Our detection of cross-reactive T-cells in healthy individuals suggests that it may be the ability of these cells to access the brain that is important in MS, although our work shows the relationship between EBV and MS is now more complex than ever, it is important to know how far this cross-reactivity extends to fully understand the link between them.”

Dr. Olivia Thomas, Study Co-Corresponding Author, Karolinska Institute