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Published on: March 30, 2018
Markers of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Cyril Debuysschere1, Magloire Pandoua Nekoua1, Didier Hober1
1Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France.
Abstract:
Viral infections have been suspected of being involved in the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases for many years. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family, is thought to be associated with the onset and/or the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and type 1 diabetes. The lifecycle of EBV consists of lytic cycles and latency programmes (0, I, II and III) occurring in infected B-cells. During this lifecycle, viral proteins and miRNAs are produced. This review provides an overview of the detection of EBV infection, focusing on markers of latency and lytic phases in MS. In MS patients, the presence of latency proteins and antibodies has been associated with lesions and dysfunctions of the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, miRNAs, expressed during lytic and latency phases, may be detected in the CNS of MS patients. Lytic reactivations of EBV can occur in the CNS of patients as well, with the presence of lytic proteins and T-cells reacting to this protein in the CNS of MS patients. In conclusion, markers of EBV infection can be found in MS patients, which argues in favour of a relationship between EBV and MS.
Insights
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection markers are detectable in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, suggesting a link between this common viral infection and the autoimmune disease. The review focuses on EBV latency and lytic phase markers within the central nervous system of MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Viral infections are implicated in autoimmune disease pathogenesis.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a suspected contributor to multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune conditions.
- EBV exhibits complex lifecycle phases, including latency and lytic cycles, within B-cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the detection of EBV infection in MS patients.
- To focus on markers indicative of EBV latency and lytic phases in the central nervous system (CNS) of MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on EBV detection methods.
- Analysis of markers associated with EBV latency (proteins, antibodies) and lytic reactivation (proteins, T-cell responses) in MS patients.
- Investigation of EBV-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) in the CNS of MS patients.
Main Results:
- Latency proteins and antibodies against EBV are found in the CNS of MS patients, correlating with neurological lesions and dysfunction.
- EBV-specific miRNAs, produced during both lytic and latency phases, are detectable in the MS CNS.
- Evidence suggests EBV lytic reactivation occurs within the CNS of MS patients, accompanied by specific T-cell responses.
Conclusions:
- Markers of EBV infection, including latency and lytic phase indicators, are present in MS patients.
- These findings support a significant association between EBV and the development or progression of multiple sclerosis.
