Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies have revived interest in the long-scrutinized association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS). We review this evidence and discuss it in relation to MS pathological and clinical features and patients' response to immunosuppressive therapies.


RESULTS
Serological evidence of previous exposure to EBV in children with MS supports a role for EBV infection early in MS pathogenesis, as already indicated by prospective studies in adults. Higher antibody titers and T-cell responses to EBV in patients compared to healthy EBV carriers indicate possible continuous viral reactivation, whereas there is some evidence that EBV could break immune tolerance to myelin antigens through molecular mimicry. Detection of EBV-infected B-cells in patients' brain raises the possibility that intrathecal B-cell abnormalities and T-cell-mediated immunopathology in MS are the consequence of a persistently dysregulated EBV infection. Accordingly, targeting T-cells and/or B-cells with monoclonal antibody therapies ameliorates MS. Whether EBV has a causative or pathogenic role in MS can now be addressed in relation to genetic, hormonal and other environmental influences that may affect EBV-host interactions.


CONCLUSIONS
By shedding light on the involvement of EBV in MS, these findings will pave the way to disease prevention and increase the therapeutic index of future treatments.
Department of Neurology and Center for Experimental Neurological Therapy, S. Andrea Hospital, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Marco
M
Salvetti
Gavin
G
Giovannoni
Francesca
F
Aloisi
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012008:Recurrence
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents