More Epstein-Barr Virus Evidence for MS
There have long been indications that the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by infection with the Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV) might be triggered. Now there is more evidence for this hypothesis. In addition, the viruses might also persist contribute to the disease.
A recent publication in the journal “Journal of Experimental MedicineThe published study provides new insights into how the immune system differs in MS patients with regard to EBV. In MS patients, for example, there is an unusually wide-ranging T-cell reaction and a sustained emigration of EBV-specific T-cells from the blood – an indication that EBV might also contribute to the persistence of MS, reports the German Society for Neurology eV (DGN) in a current Message.
EBV infection probably a trigger for MS
Research has been going on for years hypothesis postulated that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) from the herpesvirus family might be causally involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).
There are many clues, only in January appeared in the journal “Science‘ a widely acclaimed study that retrospectively evaluated data from ten million members of the US military.
At that time it was shown that EBV infection increased the risk of MS by a factor of 32 and that EBV was not just a risk factor, but a triggers for MS seems to be.
How exactly the virus can trigger the immunological processes in MS has not yet been clarified, for example cross-reactive ones are being discussed antibody as humoral factors.
More T cells detectable
The actual Study by researchers at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) Münster was now looking for changes in the EBV-specific T cell immunity in MS patients compared to the cellular EBV immune response in healthy individuals.
1,395 MS patients, 887 controls and 35 monozygotic twin pairs, of which one twin had MS, were analyzed. Discordantly ill, identical twins are very well suited for investigations of external disease triggers, because both their Genetic as well as early childhood environmental factors are practically identical.
As the DGN explains, the T cell receptors located on the surface of T cells were sequenced in the blood of the participants, more precisely the antigen-binding region of their beta chains. It was shown that in MS patients more unique EBV-specific TCR beta sequences, and thus T cellswere detectable than in healthy people.
The affected twins also showed a broader EBV-specific TCR File than her twin siblings, who are also EBV-seropositive but healthy.
Persistent or excessive EBV infection
“Whereas in healthy people in blood and CSF EBV-specific CD8-positive memory T cells of the effector type were detectable, we also found EBV-specific “central” memory T cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients as an indication of a persistent immunological priming or ongoing active immune reaction., explains the leader of the study, Prof. Dr. Nicholas Schwab.
According to the experts, this was also supported by the predominance of EBV sequences versus so-called lytic virus epitopes in the cerebrospinal fluid (replicating viruses, no latency phase). This Liquorbefunde suggest that MS patients are constantly developing new EBV-specific T cells that migrate from the blood into the CNS.
One drug inhibition this cell migration led to a corresponding increase in EBV-specific T cells in the blood.
“So MS is not just with a higher EBV antibody seroprevalence associated, but also with a broader and apparently persistent EBV-specific immune response”, according to Prof. Dr. Heinz Wiendl, Münster, Director of the University Clinic for Neurology with the Institute for Translational Neurology.
“Apparently we are dealing with a persistent or excessive EBV infection or defective immunological control in people with MS. In further investigations, we want to find out whether this strikingly broad EBV-specific TCR inventory in MS patients is just a feature of their altered cellular immune response constitutes or drives MS pathology per se.” (ad)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- German Society for Neurology eV: New evidence of multiple sclerosis caused by Epstein-Barr viruses, (accessed: September 19, 2022), German Society for Neurology eV
- Schneider-Hohendorf, T., et al.: Broader Epstein-Barr virus-specific T cell receptor repertoire in patients with multiple sclerosis; in: Journal of Experimental Medicine, (veröffentlicht: 01.09.2022), Journal of Experimental Medicine
- Kjetil Bjornevik, et al.: Longitudinal analysis reveals high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus associated with multiple sclerosis; in: Science, (veröffentlicht: 13.01.2022), Science
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
