New scientific research has revealed that the virus that causes the disease has emerged. mononucleosis may be one of the reasons multiple sclerosis. According to scientists, Epstein-Barr (EBV) increases the risk of disease 32 times.

A second group of researchers also uncovered the pathogen’s mechanism of action. The scientific community already suspected that viruses might be behind the syndrome, but now the hypothesis has gained strength.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system. In this health condition, unregulated white blood cells and antibodies attack the brain and spinal cord, causing neurological dysfunctions such as vision loss, difficulty walking or urinary dysfunction.

The causes of the syndrome are difficult to determine because it is caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Smoking, low vitamin D levels, obesity, and exposure to organic solvents are among the conditions that facilitate the onset of the disease.

Relationship between disease and virus

And now, based on more solid evidence, EBV infection has joined the list of possible causes of multiple sclerosis. A study published in a scientific journal science showed that the virus is the biggest risk factor for multiple sclerosis ever discovered.

In the study, experts analyzed the blood of American soldiers. In the United States, the military undergoes a series of tests every two years, and the remaining serum is stored in a database.

By sifting through 15 years of information on more than 1 million young soldiers, the researchers determined that among them, nearly 1,000 developed multiple sclerosis during their years of service.

They were then able to determine whether some were infected with EBV by analyzing the serum. They also selected young people with similar characteristics who did not suffer from the syndrome as a control group.

The results show that the pathogen increases the risk of disease up to 32 times. This finding is very important and indicates that taking action against the virus, which affects 95% of the adult population, can reduce the number of sclerosis cases.

The mechanism of action revealed

In another study published in the journal natureWilliam Robinson, professor of immunology and rheumatology at Stanford University in the United States, and his research team studied the mechanism of action of the virus.

To solve this mystery, experts examined the antibodies of sclerosis patients and found that the Epstein-Barr protein EBNA1 is one of their favorite targets. The problem is that this molecule can mimic a human metabolite, GlialCAM.

GlialCAM is a myelin sheath protein, a structure that coats and insulates nervous system cells. Unable to distinguish them, our immune system begins to attack our own cells when it takes action to fight the virus.

Steinman says a vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus may perhaps eradicate multiple sclerosis. The finding that EBV triggers the syndrome may also support future studies of autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

ARTICLE Nature: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04432-7; Science: doi.org/10.1126/science.abj8222

Source: Tec Mundo

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I am Bret Jackson, a professional journalist and author for Gadget Onus, where I specialize in writing about the gaming industry. With over 6 years of experience in my field, I have built up an extensive portfolio that ranges from reviews to interviews with top figures within the industry. My work has been featured on various news sites, providing readers with insightful analysis regarding the current state of gaming culture.

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