Scientists reveal the mechanism of association between EBV infection and multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. It often occurs in the optic nerve, spinal cord and brain stem. It often occurs in young and middle-aged people. It is more common in women than in men. B lymphocytes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS participate in inflammatory response and secrete oligoclonal immunoglobulin. Previous studies have found that EBV (Epstein Barr virus) is significantly related to MS in epidemiological studies, but its specific mechanism is not clear.

Recently, the research team of Stanford University School of medicine preliminarily identified a cross reactive CSF derived antibody by single-cell sequencing the paired B-cell Bank of MS blood and CSF, and then detected the recombinant CSF derived antibody against MS related viruses by protein microarray.

The team demonstrated the high affinity between EBNA1 (EBV transcription factor) and glial adhesion molecule protein (glialcam) of the central nervous system through molecular simulation. In addition, the team confirmed that EBNA1 immunization can aggravate the mouse MS model, and anti EBNA1 / glialcam antibodies are common in MS patients. The findings reveal the association mechanism between EBV infection and MS, which can provide ideas for new methods of MS treatment.

The relevant research results were published in the journal Nature under the title of "clonally expanded B cells in multiple sclerosis bind EBV EBNA1 and glialcam".