Antiviral immune response in patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy siblings
View
or print this bulletin in its original format.
Medical Update Memo
March 16, 2010
Summary
The cause of MS is yet to be found. However, both environmental and genetic factors are believed to contribute to its pathogenesis. Amongst the environmental factors, viruses seem to play an important role. The authors of this article suggest that the nature of the immune response to Epstein-Barr virus is associated with the risk of developing MS. Mult Scler. 2010 Mar;16(3):355-8
Details
The objective of this study was to determine the immune responses to candidate viral triggers of multiple sclerosis in patients and healthy siblings raised in the same family household. Virus antigen-specific IgG responses to Epstein-Barr virus-derived gene products as well as to human herpersvirus-6, human cytomegalovirus, and measles virus were evaluated in 25 multiple sclerosis patients and compared with 49 healthy full-siblings. IgG responses to the latent Epstein-Barr virus-encoded nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) were selectively increased in individuals with multiple sclerosis compared with their unaffected siblings. We conclude that elevated IgG responses towards EBNA1 are associated with the development of multiple sclerosis.
National Research and Programs
Offert en français.
Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health
agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or therapy,
but provides information to assist individuals in making their own decisions.
Back
to top  |
