Researchers in Sweden have identified a potential mechanism linking the common Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, too the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Approximately 22,000 people in Sweden live with MS, a debilitating neurological condition, and scientists have long known of a connection between prior EBV infection and the disease. New findings published in Cell detail how the body’s immune response to the virus may inadvertently trigger the autoimmune reaction characteristic of MS, offering promising avenues for future treatment and prevention.
Approximately 22,000 people in Sweden live with multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. The condition can lead to decreased sensation and balance problems, significantly impacting quality of life.
For years, researchers have known that nearly everyone diagnosed with MS has previously been infected with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). While most people contract EBV in childhood – often without noticeable symptoms – adolescents and young adults may experience mononucleosis, commonly known as mono. The virus then remains dormant in the body.
“Ninety-five percent of adults have been infected with Epstein-Barr virus at some point, yet only about 1 in 500 develops MS,” said Olivia Thomas, Associate Professor and researcher at the Karolinska Institutet. “Until now, how the virus influences the risk of developing MS has remained unclear.”
New research from Sweden has previously indicated that antibodies, normally designed to fight the Epstein-Barr virus, can mistakenly target the brain and spinal cord. Now, Olivia Thomas and her colleagues have published a new study in the scientific journal Cell, detailing how this process unfolds. The study reveals that when the immune system attacks the Epstein-Barr virus, certain T-cells react to a protein called ANO2, found in the brain.
“These T-cells are meant to combat the Epstein-Barr virus, but they mistakenly identify the body’s own cells as the virus,” explained Thomas. “For the first time, we have found evidence that this reaction can damage the brain in MS.”
Researchers analyzed blood samples from over 90 individuals with MS, comparing them to samples from healthy individuals. They discovered that those with MS had T-cells that reacted to ANO2 and other proteins. Subsequent experiments with mice showed a link between these T-cells and more severe forms of MS.
“It appears that a prior viral infection is essentially a prerequisite for an MS diagnosis,” Thomas stated. “The fact that this only occurs in a subset of individuals is likely due to a combination of genetic predisposition, chance, and environmental factors.”
Some of the researchers involved in the new study have affiliations with pharmaceutical companies, though Olivia Thomas does not.
These findings could pave the way for new treatments targeting immune cells. Several studies are currently underway exploring a vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus, which could potentially reduce the risk of mononucleosis and related conditions like MS.
“I hope our findings can lead to more effective treatments and a preventative vaccine,” Thomas said.
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