Scientists at Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet have made important discoveries about how the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) might be linked to multiple sclerosis (MS), a severe neurological disease.
Their findings, published in Science Advances, show that some people have antibodies against EBV that mistakenly attack a protein in the brain and spinal cord.
What is the Epstein-Barr Virus?
EBV is a type of herpesvirus that infects most people early in life. Once infected, the virus stays in the body forever, usually without causing any symptoms. It’s one of the most common viruses in humans, with over 90% of people worldwide carrying it for life.
Children usually get EBV without severe symptoms. However, when teenagers or young adults get infected, it often causes infectious mononucleosis, also known as glandular fever or the “kissing disease.”
The Connection Between EBV and MS
Scientists have known for some time that there is a connection between EBV and MS, but the exact relationship has been unclear. MS is a disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord, leading to symptoms like balance issues, mobility problems, and fatigue.
Recent studies, including two papers published in Science and Nature last year, suggest that EBV infection happens before the onset of MS.
These studies indicate that antibodies against EBV might play a role in the development of MS. However, the exact mechanisms vary among patients and are not fully understood.
Olivia Thomas, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet and a lead author of the study, stated, “MS is a very complex disease, but our study provides an important piece of the puzzle and could explain why some people develop the disease.”
How Misdirected Antibodies Play a Role
Thomas and her team studied blood samples from over 700 MS patients and 700 healthy individuals. They found that antibodies targeting a specific protein in the Epstein-Barr virus, called EBNA1, also bind to a similar protein in the brain and spinal cord, known as CRYAB.
CRYAB helps prevent the clumping of proteins during cell stress, such as inflammation. These antibodies, instead of fighting the virus, mistakenly attack the brain and spinal cord, leading to damage. This damage can cause severe MS symptoms.
The study found that about 23% of MS patients had these cross-reactive antibodies, compared to 7% in the control group. Thomas added, “This shows that, while these antibody responses are not required for disease development, they may be involved in up to a quarter of MS patients.”
This discovery highlights the significant differences among patients and the need for personalized treatments.
The Role of T Cells
The researchers also discovered that T cells, another part of the immune system, might have similar cross-reactivity.
Mattias Bronge, a researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet and another lead author, said, “We are now expanding our research to investigate how T cells fight EBV infection and how these immune cells may damage the nervous system in multiple sclerosis and contribute to disease progression.”
This research is a promising step in understanding the complex relationship between EBV and MS. It could lead to the development of more targeted therapies for MS patients.
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