Understanding how Epstein Barr virus promotes the development of multiple sclerosis

For several decades, we’ve known there’s a link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and MS. EBV infection isn't enough to cause MS on its own. But researchers think it’s an important factor increasing your risk of developing MS.

About the project

The main aims of this project are to discover how EBV could trigger MS and how EBV infection is different in people with MS.

EBV mainly infects one type of immune cell which stays in our immune system for the whole of our lives. The team will collect this type of immune cell from the cerebrospinal fluid and from the blood of people with MS. They’ll look more closely to find how the infection has changed the cells, compared to uninfected cells. Then, to find out if EBV infection is different in MS they’ll compare the same type of cells from people with MS to those from people without MS who have also had EBV.

They want to find out if EBV causes these changes by itself or if it requires help. They think another virus may be involved. This other virus isn’t an infection you can catch. It’s inactive and hidden in the genetic material of all human cells. The team and other researchers have already shown that this other virus can be activated by EBV. So, they suggest the viruses may work together to cause MS. They’ll compare immune cells where one or both viruses are active.

How will it help people with MS?

The team hope to find changes in EBV-infected cells which can be detected in the blood. Then, future research could make new treatments to kill only these cells. This would reduce the side effects of current immunotherapies. This is a long-term aim, but only with this initial work will it ever be possible.

The project will also provide a clearer understanding of how MS is caused. This is an important question for people affected by MS because EBV vaccines are being developed. If MS is caused by EBV, vaccination could help prevent the development of MS in the future.