A new study published in PLOS Pathogens has shed light on the complex relationship between Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting that the immune system’s misdirection, or cross-reactivity, may play a larger role than previously thought.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have found that T-cells, a crucial component of the immune system, can mistakenly target brain proteins while attempting to fight off EBV infection.
The study, which analyzed blood samples from individuals with MS, healthy people infected with EBV, and those recovering from glandular fever caused by recent EBV infection, is part of a global effort to unravel the mechanisms behind the link between EBV and MS. The connection between the two has been supported by mounting evidence over the past two decades.
A Broader Array of Cross-Reactivity
Previous studies have shown that antibody responses to one EBV protein, EBNA1, can also recognize a small number of proteins in the central nervous system. However, this new study has revealed that T-cells targeting viral proteins can also mistakenly recognize brain proteins, indicating a more extensive cross-reactivity than previously thought.
Dr. Graham Taylor, associate professor at the University of Birmingham and one of the corresponding authors of the study, stated, “The discovery of the link between Epstein-Barr Virus and Multiple Sclerosis has huge implications for our understanding of autoimmune disease, but we are still beginning to reveal the mechanisms that are involved. Our latest study shows that following Epstein-Barr virus infection there is a great deal more immune system misdirection, or cross-reactivity, than previously thought.”
Implications for Understanding and Treatment
The study’s findings have two main implications. First, they suggest that the link between EBV and MS may not be due to uncontrolled virus infection in the body. Second, the researchers have shown that the human immune system cross-recognizes a much broader array of EBV and central nervous system proteins than previously thought, and that different patterns of cross-reactivity exist.
“Knowing this will help identify which proteins are important in MS and may provide targets for future personalised therapies,” Dr. Taylor added.
Surprisingly, the team also found evidence of cross-reactive T-cells targeting EBV and central nervous system proteins in many healthy individuals during blood testing. Dr. Olivia Thomas from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, joint corresponding author of the paper, said, “Our detection of cross-reactive T-cells in healthy individuals suggests that it may be the ability of these cells to access the brain that is important in MS.”
She continued, “Although our work shows the relationship between EBV and MS is now more complex than ever, it is important to know how far this cross-reactivity extends to fully understand the link between them.”
As researchers continue to unravel the intricacies of the relationship between EBV and MS, this groundbreaking study highlights the importance of understanding the immune system’s misdirection in the development of autoimmune diseases. By identifying the proteins involved in this cross-reactivity and the factors that allow these T-cells to access the brain, scientists may be able to develop more targeted and personalized therapies for individuals with MS in the future.
