Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus and MRI disease activity in multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Previous reports indicate an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody levels and multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, but the results have been conflicting.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this paper is to study if EBV antibody levels reflect MRI disease activity in MS and examine the potential for EBV antibody levels as biomarkers for treatment response.


METHODS
A total of 87 MS patients were followed for two years prior to and during interferon beta (IFNB) treatment, with MRI examinations and serum measurement of IgM and IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA), EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and early antigen (EA). Associations between EBV antibody levels and MRI activity were assessed by a logistic regression model.


RESULTS
Higher anti-EBNA-1 IgG levels were associated with increased MRI activity, OR = 2.95 (95% CI 1.07-8.10; p = 0.036) for combined unique activity (CUA; the sum of T1Gd+ lesions and new or enlarging T2 lesions). Although most patients were anti-VCA IgM negative, there was an inverse association, OR = 0.32 (95% CI 0.12-0.84; p = 0.021) with CUA during IFNB treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports an association between anti-EBNA-1 IgG levels and MS disease activity. We also found an inverse association with anti-VCA IgM levels during IFNB treatment not previously described, indicating anti-VCA IgM as a possible biomarker for IFNB treatment response.
Norwegian MS Competence Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Lies vei 65, 5053 Bergen, Norway silje.agnethe.stokke@helse-bergen.no.
Silje
S
Kvistad
Norwegian MS Competence Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway/KG Jebsen Center for MS Research, University of Bergen, Norway/Norwegian MS Registry and Biobank, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway.
Kjell-Morten
KM
Myhr
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway/Akershus University Hospital, Norway.
Trygve
T
Holmøy
Oslo University Hospital, Norway.
Søren
S
Bakke
MS Centre Hakadal, Norway.
Antonie G
AG
Beiske
St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Norway/Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway.
Kristian S
KS
Bjerve
St Olav's Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Norway.
Harald
H
Hovdal
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway/Innlandet Hospital Trust, Norway.
Kristin I
KI
Løken-Amsrud
Curato Oslo, Norway.
Finn
F
Lilleås
Molde Hospital, Norway/Unit for Applied Clinical Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway.
Rune
R
Midgard
Haukeland University Hospital, Norway.
Gro
G
Njølstad
Unilabs Drammen, Norway.
Tom
T
Pedersen
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway/Helse Sør-Øst Health Services Research Centre, Akershus University Hospital, Norway.
Jūratė Šaltytė
JŠ
Benth
Norwegian MS Competence Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway/KG Jebsen Center for MS Research, University of Bergen, Norway.
Stig
S
Wergeland
Norwegian MS Competence Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, Norway/KG Jebsen Center for MS Research, University of Bergen, Norway.
Oivind
O
Torkildsen
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta; C417029:EBV-encoded nuclear antigen 1; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a
MRI; Multiple sclerosis; interferon beta; relapsing–remitting