Enhanced and cross-reactive in vitro memory B cell response against Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 in multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a prototypical autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to CD4⁺ T cells, memory B cells are now recognized as a critical cell type in the disease. This is underlined by the fact that the best-characterized environmental risk factor for MS is the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which can infect and persist in memory B cells throughout life. Several studies have identified changes in anti-EBV immunity in patients with MS. Examples include elevated titers of anti-EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) antibodies, interactions of these with the MS-associated HLA-DR15 haplotype, and molecular mimicry with MS autoantigens like myelin basic protein (MBP), anoctamin-2 (ANO2), glial cell adhesion molecule (GlialCAM), and alpha-crystallin B (CRYAB).

SUBMITTER: Marti Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11385009 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature