The role of Epstein-Barr virus in multiple sclerosis: from molecular pathophysiology to in vivo imaging.

ABSTRACT: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neuronal damage. Environmental and genetic factors are associated with the risk of developing MS, but the exact cause still remains unidentified. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), vitamin D, and smoking are among the most well-established environmental risk factors in MS. Infectious mononucleosis, which is caused by delayed primary EBV infection, increases the risk of developing MS. EBV may also contribute to MS pathogenesis indirectly by activating silent human endogenous retrovirus-W. The emerging B-cell depleting therapies, particularly anti-CD20 agents such as rituximab, ocrelizumab, as well as the fully human ofatumumab, have shown promising clinical and magnetic resonance imag

SUBMITTER: Guan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6334604 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature