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Published on: September 7, 2022
Gender influence in EBV antibody response in multiple sclerosis patients from Kuwait
Rabeah Al-Temaimi1, Raed Alroughani2, Sindhu Jacob3
1Human Genetics Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait.
Background:
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is implicated with multiple sclerosis (MS) risk, exacerbation, and progression. The HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype is a strong MS risk factor consistently documented in MS populations. There are no studies of EBV infections and HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype associating with MS from Kuwait where MS prevalence has increased significantly.
Objectives:
To determine the association of EBV infection with MS incidence, and to investigate HLA-DRB1*1501 as a potential genetic risk factor for MS in Kuwait.
Methods:
This is a case-control study involving 141 MS patients and 40 healthy controls. Antibody titers against EBV antigens' viral capsid antigen (VCA) and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype assessment was done using rs3135005 TaqMan genotyping assay.
Results:
Antibody titers against EBV were significantly elevated in MS patients compared to healthy controls (anti-EBNA1, p=0.008; anti-VCA, p=0.028). MS males had higher antibody titers to EBNA1 than healthy male controls (p=0.005) and female MS patients (p=0.03). HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype genotypes failed to generate a risk association with MS or EBV antibody titers (p=0.6).
Conclusion:
An increased immune response to EBV infection is associated with MS incidence influenced by the type of antigen and sex. HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype is not associated with MS risk in our Kuwaiti MS cohort.
Insights
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence, with higher antibody titers found in MS patients. The HLA-DRB1*1501 gene variant, however, showed no association with MS risk in Kuwait.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a known factor in multiple sclerosis (MS) risk, exacerbation, and progression.
- The HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype is a significant MS risk factor identified in global populations.
- Limited data exists on EBV and HLA-DRB1*1501 associations with MS in Kuwait, a region with rising MS prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between EBV infection and MS incidence in Kuwait.
- To investigate the HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype as a potential genetic risk factor for MS in the Kuwaiti population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study included 141 MS patients and 40 healthy controls.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays measured antibody titers against EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1).
- HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype was assessed using rs3135005 TaqMan genotyping.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited significantly higher antibody titers to EBV (anti-EBNA1, p=0.008; anti-VCA, p=0.028) compared to controls.
- MS males showed elevated anti-EBNA1 titers compared to healthy males (p=0.005) and female MS patients (p=0.03).
- The HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype did not show a significant association with MS risk or EBV antibody titers (p=0.6).
Conclusions:
- Increased immune response to EBV infection is associated with MS incidence, influenced by antigen type and sex.
- The HLA-DRB1*1501 haplotype is not a risk factor for MS in the studied Kuwaiti cohort.
