New study sheds light on how Epstein-Barr virus may contribute to multiple sclerosis
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine suggests that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may trigger multiple sclerosis by causing an overactive CD4+ T-cell response. Researchers found that patients with MS show a significantly higher immune response to late-stage EBV proteins compared to healthy individuals.
Why it matters
Understanding the biological link between a common virus and a chronic autoimmune disease could lead to new preventative strategies or treatments for MS.
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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Add as preferred source Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that attacks the central nervous system. For years, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been strongly linked to MS, as nearly every person diagnosed with the condition shows evidence of past EBV infection. For example, a 2022 study analyzed millions of U.S. military recruits and found that getting infected with EBV increased a person's risk of developing MS 32-fold.
But exactly how EBV is linked to the abnormal immune response seen in MS has remained unclear until now.
In a study published in Science Translational Medicine , scientists describe a new immune mechanism that could explain how EBV contributes to MS.
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