A Mechanism by Which Epstein-Barr Virus Could Increase Risk for Multiple Sclerosis

Molecular mimicry between an EBV protein and a molecule expressed in MS plaques might cause autoimmunity.

Recently, a large epidemiologic study identified Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection as one likely contributing factor in multiple sclerosis (MS): New EBV infection increased relative risk for developing MS by 32-fold in healthy young adults (NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 1 2022 and Science 2022; 375:296). However, that study did not reveal any pathophysiological mechanism by which the virus might trigger MS.

In a study from Stanford, researchers show that the structure of one part of a critical EBV protein, EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1), is very similar to GlialCAM, a molecule that is prominent in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes (myelin-generating cells) and that is expressed heavily in MS plaques. Antibodies against EBNA1 also bind tightly to GlialCA…

Reviewing Author

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate

A Mechanism by Which Epstein-Barr Virus Could Increase Risk for Multiple Sclerosis

Topics

Reviewing Author