Strains of Epstein-Barr virus infecting multiple sclerosis patients

Both epidemiological and experimental studies have indicated that the ubiquitous herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) plays a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Some features of MS epidemiology, such as the decline in risk among migrants from high to low MS prevalence areas, suggest the presence of variant EBV strains that increase MS risk. The objective of this study was to investigate whether genetic variability in EBV is associated with MS. Genes encoding for two EBV antigens (EBNA1 and BRRF2) were sequenced in EBV isolates from 40 MS patients and a similar number of control subjects. These viral antigens were chosen for analysis because they are known to stimulate atypical immune responses in MS. Extensive sequence polymorphism was observed within the EBNA1 and BRRF2 genes in isolates from both MS patients and controls. Interestingly, several single nucleotide polymorphisms within the EBNA1 gene, and one within the BRRF2 gene, were found to occur at marginally different frequencies in EBV strains infecting MS patients versus controls. Although this study does not find a simple causal relationship between EBV strains and the occurrence of MS, the existence of haplotypes that occur at different frequencies in MS patients versus controls may provide an area for future study of the role of EBV strain variation in multiple sclerosis.

amino acid; Epstein-Barr virus; multiple sclerosis; sequence polymorphism; viral infections; viral gene
MEDICINE
MEDICIN

Burrows, J.M.Queensland Institute for Medical Research (author)
Bell, M.J.Queensland Institute for Medical Research (author)
Bromham, L.Australian National University (author)
Csurhes, P.A.University of Queensland (author)
Lenarczyk, A.University of Queensland (author)
Sverndal, J.Linköpings universitet,Institutionen för hälsa och miljö,Hälsouniversitetet (author)
Klintenstedt, J.Linköpings universitet,Institutionen för hälsa och miljö,Hälsouniversitetet (author)
Pender, M.P.University of Queensland (author)
Burrows, S.R.Queensland Institute for Medical Research (author)
Queensland Institute for Medical ResearchAustralian National University (creator_code:org_t)

In:Multiple Sclerosis Journal: SAGE Publications16:6, s. 643-6511352-45851477-0970

By the author/editor: Brennan, R.M.; Burrows, J.M.; Bell, M.J.; Bromham, L.; Csurhes, P.A.; Lenarczyk, A.; show more...; Sverndal, J.; Klintenstedt, J.; Pender, M.P.; Burrows, S.R.; show less...

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