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The Puzzling Link Between EBV and MS

May 19, 2023

A recent journal article in Science Advances, titled Cross-reactive EBNA1 immunity targets alpha-crystallin B and is associated with multiple sclerosis, has uncovered another link between Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV). The study reveals how cross-reactivity might play a key role in the body’s antibodies targeting certain cells in people with MS. 

Our immune system uses specialized proteins called antibodies to target and eliminate harmful invaders. This study found that in some individuals with MS, these antibodies might be mistaking a protein in EBV (EBNA1) for a similar protein found in the nervous system (CRYAB). This confusion leads to an attack on healthy tissues, through cross-reactivity, potentially contributing to people developing MS.

MS is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the protective covering around nerve cells, leading to a range of symptoms like muscle weakness and cognitive difficulties. Previous research has shown that it is likely that people who have MS have been infected by EBV (1) (2) (3). EBV, one of the most common viruses in the world, can cause infectious mononucleosis (Mono) in some people. However, only a small number of people infected with EBV will go on to have MS.

Key Findings:

  • People with MS had more antibodies targeting CRYAB than people without MS. 
  • People who had high antibodies targeting EBNA1 were more likely to have MS. 
  • People who had both antibodies targeting CRYAB and high antibodies targeting EBNA1 were even more likely to have MS.
  • CRYAB and EBNA1 have an identical protein sequence, a potential target for cross-reactivity.

A Piece to the Puzzle, but Not the Whole Picture

This research strengthens the connection between EBV and MS, but some questions remain. While some people with these findings had MS, not all of them did. Some people who didn’t have MS also had these findings. 

Understanding EBV’s role in MS offers potential targets for vaccines and treatments for MS. Future research can add more pieces to the puzzle to help solve the mystery of MS. 

Citation for report:

Thomas, O. G., Bronge, M., Tengvall, K., Akpinar, B., Nilsson, O. B., Holmgren, E., Hessa, T., Gafvelin, G., Khademi, M., Alfredsson, L., Martin, R., Guerreiro-Cacais, A. O., Grönlund, H., Olsson, T., & Kockum, I. (2023). Cross-reactive EBNA1 immunity targets alpha-crystallin B and is associated with multiple sclerosis. Science advances, 9(20), eadg3032. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg3032