Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
08:44
Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis
Published on: September 7, 2022
Dysregulated Epstein-Barr virus infection in the multiple sclerosis brain
Barbara Serafini1, Barbara Rosicarelli, Diego Franciotta
1Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|November 7, 2007
Summary
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is found in nearly all multiple sclerosis (MS) brains, persisting in B cells and reactivating within the central nervous system (CNS). This EBV presence suggests a significant role in MS immunopathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a herpesvirus, is linked to multiple sclerosis (MS), a CNS inflammatory disease.
- Direct evidence of EBV's role in MS pathogenesis remains elusive.
- Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding EBV presence in MS brains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in postmortem brain tissue from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- To determine if EBV infection is specific to MS compared to other neurological inflammatory diseases.
- To identify sites of EBV persistence and reactivation within the central nervous system (CNS) in MS.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of postmortem brain tissue from MS cases and control neurological diseases.
- Detection of EBV markers, including latent proteins and viral reactivation.
- Immunohistochemical examination of B cells, plasma cells, and T cells within CNS tissue.
- Identification of ectopic B cell follicles in the meninges.
Main Results:
- EBV infection was detected in B cells and plasma cells in nearly 100% of MS cases (21/22), but not in other inflammatory neurological diseases.
- Ectopic B cell follicles in the meninges of secondary progressive MS cases were identified as key sites of EBV persistence.
- Viral latent proteins were consistently found in MS brains; reactivation was localized to ectopic follicles and acute lesions.
- Activated CD8+ T cells exhibiting cytotoxicity towards plasma cells were observed near EBV-infected cell accumulations.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide strong evidence for EBV persistence and reactivation within the CNS in multiple sclerosis.
- EBV-infected B cells and their reactivation in the CNS likely contribute significantly to MS immunopathology.
- Further research is needed to clarify whether EBV homing to the CNS is a primary event or a consequence of MS-related processes.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:18Viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
00:49The Blood-brain Barrier
Overview