Last year, the news spread around the world that the cause multiple sclerosis. Judging by many headlines, this is an infection Epstein-Barr viruscause mononucleosis or kissing disease. This discovery brought a wave of optimism, because at last they found the cause of the disease that affects 2.5 million people worldwide. But it’s also scary because many people know they’ve been infected with this virus. For this reason, a call for calm was made, explaining that the discovery was not something so stupid and that, in fact, the reasons are not even known, other than the obvious correlation between both phenomena. Now, yes, we know what the reason could be, but the call for calm should be almost the same.
Before talking about this new discovery made by scientists from Karolinska InstituteIt’s important to remember a few things. First, the Epstein-Barr virus has a very high incidence, since it is believed that about 90% of the world’s population infected by her. So it’s easy for people with multiple sclerosis to get infected. And, above all, it indicates that there are many people with it who never develop this disease.
On the other hand, it is important to keep in mind that multiple sclerosis multifactorial disease. So while this new study seems to show that there is an association with the Epstein-Barr virus, there are many other factors that could be at play. In short, this find is very interesting, as it provides a target for attack. But, as always, you need to take it with caution.
What do multiple sclerosis and mononucleosis have in common?
Multiple sclerosis is autoimmune diseasein which the immune system attacks the body’s own nerve cells, causing neurological symptoms that worsen over time.
As for the Epstein-Barr virus, most people get sick with it. in childhood and keep it in their body for the rest of their lives, since the virus is able to remain in a latent state. Nevertheless, almost no one shows symptoms. In adulthood, this can cause a disease called mononucleosis or kissing disease.
Since multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease and the mononucleosis virus is normally present in the body without showing signs of its presence, previous studies have suggested that perhaps antibodies who are trying to attack the virus, can be embarrassed and turn against nerve cells. The authors of this new study wanted to see if this was possible. So they analyzed the antigens present in the Epstein-Barr virus that can attack the antibodies.
antigens these are the fragments of a foreign agent that can be recognized and attacked by the immune system. In the case of viruses, these are usually some specific proteins, so we started by studying those of the causative agent of mononucleosis. And there was an answer.
confused antibodies
This study was carried out with 700 people with multiple sclerosis and another 700 healthy from whom blood samples were taken. The goal was to analyze the antibodies present in them and test the antigens against which they were directed.
So they saw that people with multiple sclerosis have antibodies that vaguely attack a protein in the Epstein-Barr virus called ebna 1, and another present in braincall CRAB. The role of the latter is to prevent the aggregation of certain proteins in situations of cellular stress such as inflammation. Therefore, if this protein and nerve cells in general are attacked, symptoms similar to those seen in patients with multiple sclerosis may occur.
In fact, these antibodies cross action they are found in 23% of patients with multiple sclerosis, but only in 7% of healthy people.
T-lymphocytes may also be involved in the development of multiple sclerosis.
These scientists have not finished their research. Now they want to focus also on T-lymphocytes. These are cells of the immune system that respond to infection, bind specifically to certain antigens, and begin with the first attack, while recruiting other cells, such as macrophages, to complete the attack on what they consider to be a foreign agent.
The T-lymphocyte confusion may be another piece of the multiple sclerosis puzzle, though further investigation will be needed to figure it out. What is clear is that the mystery is gradually taking shape, and today scientists know much more about the disease than a few years ago. It’s great news to know new data like the one released today. But, as we always say, science has its time and, as a rule, There are many factors that influence the disease.. We already know one more thing about multiple sclerosis. It may be another step towards a cure, but it still takes time.
Source: Hiper Textual
