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Is the risk of multiple sclerosis related to the 'biography' of the immune system?

Bernd Krone1, Frank Oeffner, John M Grange

  • 1Institute of Virology, University of Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Göttingen, Germany. bkrone@medizinlabor.de

Journal of Neurology
|March 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Childhood-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) research suggests infections, particularly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), may influence immune pathways. Understanding these disruptions could lead to new MS prevention and treatment strategies, possibly including EBV vaccination.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) provides a unique model for investigating the role of infectious agents in disease etiology.
  • Epidemiological studies increasingly suggest infectious agents, with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as a primary candidate, contribute to MS development.
  • Immune reactions to infections in children with MS are a recent area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential role of infectious agents in the development of immunoregulatory pathways relevant to MS.
  • To propose a framework for future research into the complex etiology of MS.
  • To identify potential preventive strategies, such as vaccination, for MS.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological, immunological, and molecular biologic data.
  • Formulation of a conceptual framework for future investigations.
  • Analysis of the potential impact of hygiene-related factors and infection sequences on immune development.

Main Results:

  • Infectious agents likely contribute to the development of immunoregulatory pathways rather than being direct causes of MS.
  • Disturbances in these pathways, potentially influenced by environmental factors and infection timing, may precede MS onset by years.
  • A framework is proposed to guide further research into MS pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the interplay between infections, immune regulation, and environmental factors is crucial for elucidating MS natural history.
  • Future research guided by this framework may reveal novel preventive and therapeutic targets for MS.
  • Early childhood vaccination against EBV is a potential future strategy for MS prevention.

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