Inflammation and Epstein-Barr Virus at the Crossroads of Multiple Sclerosis and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 Infection.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have strengthened the evidence for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) as an important contributing factor in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Chronic inflammation is a key feature of MS. EBV⁺ B cells can express cytokines and exosomes that promote inflammation, and EBV is known to be reactivated through the upregulation of cellular inflammasomes. Inflammation is a possible cause of the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which allows the infiltration of lymphocytes into the central nervous system. Once resident, EBV⁺ or EBV-specific B cells could both plausibly exacerbate MS plaques through continued inflammatory processes, EBV reactivation, T cell exhaustion, and/or molecular mimicry. Another virus, SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, is known

SUBMITTER: Rousseau BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10141000 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature