Which cells does Epstein-Barr Virus affect in MS?

About the project

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is a common infection that usually causes no symptoms. Research has shown it plays a role in causing MS. But 9 out of 10 adults are infected with EBV and most don’t develop MS. So we don’t fully understand why and how infection may lead to MS in some people.

After infection, EBV stays dormant in your body throughout your life. We know it hides in certain types of immune cells. These are the same immune cells that mistakenly attack myelin in MS. But EBV could also hide in other types of cells.

In this project, researchers will use blood samples to look for EBV in people with MS and people without MS. They'll look to see whether there's a different amount of EBV in these two groups. And using a special technique they'll be able to work out which type of cells the EBV has come from.

How will it help people with MS?

This project will help us understand where EBV is hiding in the body. And if it is different in people with MS. If EBV is behaving differently in people with MS, it might tell us why the infection sometimes leads to MS. 

If we know where EBV is hiding, we know which cells we should aim treatments at. This could reduce the effects of EBV in the body.