Scientists from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet have uncovered new clues about how the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) might contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Their findings, published in Science Advances, suggest that in some people, the immune system’s response to EBV may mistakenly attack the nervous system, leading to MS symptoms.
Epstein-Barr Virus: A Widespread Infection
EBV is a common virus that infects most people at some point in their lives. Once in the body, it remains dormant, usually without causing any harm.
More than 90% of the global population carries this virus. While it often spreads during childhood without noticeable symptoms, it can cause infectious mononucleosis—also known as glandular fever or the “kissing disease”—when contracted in adolescence or young adulthood.
The Link Between Epstein-Barr Virus and MS
For years, scientists have suspected a connection between EBV and MS, a neurological disease that affects movement, balance, and energy levels. Previous research found that people with MS almost always had an earlier EBV infection, but the exact reason for this link remained unclear.
Studies published in Science and Nature last year confirmed that EBV infection tends to occur before MS develops, but the underlying biological mechanisms remained unknown.
Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that some people with MS produce antibodies that mistakenly attack not just the virus but also a crucial protein in the nervous system.
How Misdirected Antibodies May Cause Damage
The researchers analyzed blood samples from over 700 MS patients and a similar number of healthy individuals. They discovered that certain antibodies created to fight EBV also latch onto a protein in the brain and spinal cord called CRYAB. This protein normally protects nerve cells from damage caused by inflammation.
However, in people with MS, these misdirected antibodies could mistakenly attack CRYAB, leading to nerve cell damage. This may explain why some MS patients experience severe symptoms such as difficulty walking, problems with balance, and extreme fatigue.
The study found that these cross-reactive antibodies were present in about 23% of MS patients but only in 7% of the healthy control group. This suggests that while these antibodies are not the sole cause of MS, they play a role in the disease for nearly a quarter of patients.
The Role of T Cells in MS
In addition to antibodies, the researchers also suspect that certain T cells—another part of the immune system—might react to both EBV and the nervous system. Their ongoing research aims to explore whether these immune cells contribute to the progression of MS.
Future Implications
These findings bring scientists one step closer to understanding how EBV might trigger or worsen MS. By uncovering the role of misdirected antibodies and immune cells, this research could help pave the way for more targeted treatments.
For now, MS remains a complex disease with many contributing factors. But this study highlights the importance of studying EBV’s role, as it may eventually lead to new ways to prevent or treat the condition.
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