title: Epstein-Barr virus and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis peptides are cross recognized by anti-myelin basic protein antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: Epstein-Barr virus and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) have been associated to multiple sclerosis (MS). We searched for antibodies against the homologous peptides Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1)400-413, MAP_0106c protein (MAP)121-132, and myelin basic protein (MBP)85-98 on a MS Sardinian cohort, showing that these antibodies are highly prevalent among MS patients compared to healthy controls. Competitive assay demonstrated that antibodies recognizing EBNA1400-413 and MAP121-132 cross-react with MBP85-98, possibly through a molecular mimicry mechanism. Indeed, the fact that peptides from different pathogens can be cross-recognized by antibodies targeting self-epitopes supports the hypothesis that EBV and MAP might trigger autoimmunity through a common target.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università di Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mameli
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università di Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.affiliation: Centro Sclerosi Multipla, Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari e Neurologiche, Università di Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cocco
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università di Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Speranza
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masala
authors.affiliation: Centro Sclerosi Multipla, Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari e Neurologiche, Università di Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frau
authors.affiliation: Centro Sclerosi Multipla, Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari e Neurologiche, Università di Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marrosu
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università di Sassari, Italy. Electronic address: sechila@uniss.it.
authors.forename: Leonardo A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sechi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D016927:Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology; D010446:Peptide Fragments
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C000610573:myelin basic protein (85-98)
keywords: Epstein–Barr virus; Molecular mimicry; Multiple sclerosis; Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis; Myelin basic protein