Multiple molecular mimics in Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen-1, and the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis - PubMed
5 days ago
- #Epstein-Barr virus
- #multiple sclerosis
- #molecular mimicry
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects over 95% of humans and is linked to multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Antibody to Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA1) is present in nearly 100% of MS patients before symptoms appear.
- EBV infection is necessary but not sufficient for MS causation.
- EBNA1 contains a 47-amino acid stretch with molecular mimics of GlialCAM, alpha Crystallin-B, and Anoctamin-2.
- Cross-reactive adaptive immunity to these mimics plays distinct roles in MS pathogenesis.
- Antibodies to these molecules increase the risk of developing MS.
- EBNA1 is found in B cells, glial cells, and neurons in MS lesions.
- Recent studies detail MS pathology from atomic-level crystallography to brain lesion imaging.
- The authors have financial interests and patents related to EBV and MS research.