The association of the human herpesvirus-6 and MS.
Given the clinical and pathological nature of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a viral infection has long been hypothesized as part of the etiology. In this study we investigated the possibility that the human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is present in a dormant or active phase in the tissue of MS patients, specifically oligodendrocytes. Using PCR assays of MS and non-MS brain sections with primers prepared against the HHV-6 structural protein 101, the results demonstrated that 36% of MS brains were positive for the virus, while 13.5% of non-MS brains were positive. Antibody to the HHV-6 structural protein was also used in immunohistochemical experiments in brain tissue. 47% (7/15) of MS brains were positive for HHV-6, whereas 0/16 controls were positive. In addition, MS patients demonstrated high immune reactivity to this virus, even when compared to auto-immune diseases, which might cause polyclonal activation. Sera obtained from MS and control patients revealed that the IgM response to the HHV-6 virus was significantly elevated in 80% patients compared to 16% non-MS controls, P<.001. The above experiments strongly suggest that a significant number of MS brain samples contain HHV-6 antigens and genomic fragments in a dormant or active phase compared to control specimens and that MS patients mount a brisk, early IgM response.
Friedman
J E
JE
Department of Neurology, NYU Medical Center, New York 10016, USA.
Lyons
M J
MJ
Cu
G
G
Ablashl
D V
DV
Whitman
J E
JE
Edgar
M
M
Koskiniemi
M
M
Vaheri
A
A
Zabriskie
J B
JB
D000917:Antibody Formation; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D002102:Cadaver; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012016:Reference Values; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics
C082253:101K protein, Human herpesvirus 6; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D014764:Viral Proteins