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Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
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Published on: July 19, 2019

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The Interaction between Viral and Environmental Risk Factors in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis

Rachael Eugenie Tarlinton1, Timur Khaibullin2, Evgenii Granatov3

  • 1School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, LE12 9RH Nottingham, UK. rachael.tarlinton@nottingham.ac.uk.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory CNS disease. This review examines epidemiological risk factors like vitamin D levels, genetics, and infections, exploring hypotheses for MS pathology triggers.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, debilitating inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with unknown etiology.
  • Typically diagnosed in individuals aged 20-40, MS pathology involves immune-mediated demyelination, leading to sensory, visual, and motor impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for epidemiological risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis.
  • To explore potential links between these factors and the molecular pathogenesis of MS.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological studies on MS risk factors.
  • Analysis of potential connections between environmental factors, genetics, and viral infections in MS etiology.

Main Results:

  • Identified epidemiological risk factors include latitude, vitamin D (vitD) levels, genetics, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection, and endogenous retrovirus (ERV) reactivation.
  • The review synthesizes evidence to propose hypotheses for the triggering of MS pathology.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple sclerosis etiology is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and immune system dysregulation.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which these factors contribute to MS pathogenesis.
Keywords:
Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)HERVcentral nervous system (CNS)cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)multiple sclerosis

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