Abstract
The underlying cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not fully understood. However, it is known that Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infections pre-date the development of the disease. Here I explore whether the underlying cause of Multiple Sclerosis can be explained by an inappropriate intra-cellular transcriptional response to the integration of the EBV in the genome of neural cells. Such a re-programming is proposed to lead to the transcriptional activation of other dormant viruses, human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), followed by the “auto-immune” response and inflammation observed in the brain of MS patients?
Highlights
The underlying cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not fully understood
People that have not been exposed to the virus have a very low risk of developing MS; if they are exposed to Epstein Barr virus (EBV) during childhood they will have a significant risk of developing the disease later in life
I propose that: A) due to the maintenance of this latent/ dormant EBV stage is defective in MS patients, or B) due to the lowlevel expression of the latent virus; the EBV causes changes in the transcription programme of the neural host cell, leading to an activation of other dormant viruses (HERVs; see below)
Summary
The underlying cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not fully understood. it is known that Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infections pre-date the development of the disease. This risk increases further 2-3 fold if the EBV infection leads to mononucleosis [13].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
