The Link Between Epstein-Barr Virus and Multiple Sclerosis Explored in New Study
A new study has found that when the immune system fights off the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), immune cells can mistakenly target a protein called CRYAB that is normally expressed by healthy myelin-making cells in the brain, which could explain the link between EBV and multiple sclerosis (MS). The study found that certain antibodies against EBV can mistakenly target the brain and spinal cord and cause damage. The researchers also found that cross-reactivity between CRYAB and EBV may play a role in MS, and patients positive for antibodies against both proteins were nine times more likely to have MS.