Epstein-Barr virus and brain cross-reactivity: Possible mechanism for multiple sclerosis detected

Epstein-Barr virus and brain cross-reactivity: Possible mechanism for multiple sclerosis detected

The role that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) plays in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be caused by a higher level of cross-reactivity, where the body's immune system binds to the wrong target, than previously thought.

Heightened Epstein-Barr virus immunity and potential cross-reactivities in multiple sclerosis

Author summary Previous infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is likely required for multiple sclerosis (MS) which occurs when the immune system damages the brain. How EBV contributes to this process is unknown, but some research suggests that immune responses to EBV may react to proteins in the brain that mimic virus proteins. We investigated T-cell and antibody responses to EBV in people with MS (pwMS) and, as controls, people persistently i…