scholarly journals Infections and Multiple Sclerosis: From the World to Sardinia, From Sardinia to the World

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Frau ◽  
Giancarlo Coghe ◽  
Lorena Lorefice ◽  
Giuseppe Fenu ◽  
Eleonora Cocco
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Japanese Patients ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Multi Centre Study ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
The World ◽  
Epstein Barr

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Sardinia, an Italian island, is one of the areas with the highest global prevalence of MS. Genetic factors have been widely explored to explain this greater prevalence among some populations; the genetic makeup of the Sardinians appears to make them more likely to develop autoimmune diseases. A strong association between MS and some infections have been reported globally. The most robust evidence indicating the role of infections is MS development concerns the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Anti-EBV antibodies in patients once infected by EBV are associated with the development of MS years later. These features have also been noted in Sardinian patients with MS. Many groups have found an increased expression of the Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) family in patients with MS. A role in pathogenesis, prognosis, and prediction of treatment response has been proposed for HERV. A European multi-centre study has shown that their presence was variable among populations, ranging from 59% to 100% of patients, with higher HERV expression noted in Sardinian patients with MS. The mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) DNA and antibodies against MAP2694 protein were found to be associated with MS in Sardinian patients. More recently, this association has also been reported in Japanese patients with MS. In this study, we analysed the role of infectious factors in Sardinian patients with MS and compared it with the findings reported in other populations.

Cytomegaloviral Infections: Epidemiology, Therapy, and Prevention

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 169-175
Author(s):  
George A. Nankervis
Keyword(s):  
Giant Cells ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Current Review ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
The World ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Different Strains

The role of cytomegalovirus in human disease is a still-evolving story. Hanshaw presented an excellent review article on the subject in 1981 in this publication; this current review is an update, with particular emphasis on new concepts in the epidemiology and prevention of cytomegaloviral infection and disease. Historically, evidence of infection with cytomegalovirus was first reported by pathologists in many parts of the world. They noted the presence of giant cells with intranuclear inclusions while examining a diversity of organs microscopically. Isolation of the virus and development of serologic techniques eventually enabled a definitive study of the agent, its pathogenesis and epidemiology. Biologically, it is one of the herpesviruses and, as such, is a DNA virus. Other members of the group include varicella-zoster, herpes simplex, and Epstein-Barr virus. Several different strains of cytomegalovirus exist, and they have specific characteristics which are of interest. The virus is cell associated and tends to be very labile; it has a tendency to become latent and may possibly have malignant potential. EPIDEMIOLOGY Prevalence Infection with cytomegalovirus is found throughout the world. Studies of prevalence in a number of diverse populations have indicated that cytomegaloviral infection is ubiquitous. The major differences in prevalence between populations are related to the speed of acquisition of infection in various geographic and socioeconomic settings.

scholarly journals A Tolerogenic Role of Cathepsin G in a Primate Model of Multiple Sclerosis: Abrogation by Epstein–Barr Virus Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bert A. ‘t Hart
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Cathepsin G ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus Infection ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Barr Virus Infection

Abstract Using a non-human primate model of the autoimmune neuroinflammatory disease multiple sclerosis (MS), we have unraveled the role of B cells in the making and breaking of immune tolerance against central nervous system myelin. It is discussed here that B cells prevent the activation of strongly pathogenic T cells present in the naïve repertoire, which are directed against the immunodominant myelin antigen MOG (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein). Prevention occurs via destructive processing of a critical epitope (MOG34-56) through the lysosomal serine protease cathepsin G. This effective tolerance mechanism is abrogated when the B cells are infected with Epstein–Barr virus, a ubiquitous γ1-herpesvirus that entails the strongest non-genetic risk factor for MS.

scholarly journals Multiple Sclerosis and SARS-CoV-2: Has the Interplay Started?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianmarco Bellucci ◽  
Virginia Rinaldi ◽  
Maria Chiara Buscarinu ◽  
Roberta Reniè ◽  
Rachele Bigi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Current knowledge on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) etiopathogenesis encompasses complex interactions between the host’s genetic background and several environmental factors that result in dysimmunity against the central nervous system. An old-aged association exists between MS and viral infections, capable of triggering and sustaining neuroinflammation through direct and indirect mechanisms. The novel Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has a remarkable, and still not fully understood, impact on the immune system: the occurrence and severity of both acute COVID-19 and post-infectious chronic illness (long COVID-19) largely depends on the host’s response to the infection, that echoes several aspects of MS pathobiology. Furthermore, other MS-associated viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), may enhance a mechanistic interplay with the novel Coronavirus, with the potential to interfere in MS natural history. Studies on COVID-19 in people with MS have helped clinicians in adjusting therapeutic strategies during the pandemic; similar efforts are being made for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns. In this Review, we look over 18 months of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic from the perspective of MS: we dissect neuroinflammatory and demyelinating mechanisms associated with COVID-19, summarize pathophysiological crossroads between MS and SARS-CoV-2 infection, and discuss present evidence on COVID-19 and its vaccination in people with MS.

scholarly journals Role of Infections in the Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Focus on Mycobacteria

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1459
Author(s):  
Marco Bo ◽  
Seyedesomaye Jasemi ◽  
Giuseppe Uras ◽  
Gian Luca Erre ◽  
Giuseppe Passiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis ◽  
Humoral Response ◽  
Complex Interaction ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Inflammatory Autoimmune Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by chronic erosive polyarthritis. A complex interaction between a favorable genetic background, and the presence of a specific immune response against a broad-spectrum of environmental factors seems to play a role in determining susceptibility to RA. Among different pathogens, mycobacteria (including Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, MAP), and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), have extensively been proposed to promote specific cellular and humoral response in susceptible individuals, by activating pathways linked to RA development. In this review, we discuss the available experimental and clinical evidence on the interplay between mycobacterial and EBV infections, and the development of the immune dysregulation in RA.

scholarly journals Expression and Activation by Epstein Barr Virus of Human Endogenous Retroviruses-W in Blood Cells and Astrocytes: Inference for Multiple Sclerosis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e44991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Mameli ◽  
Luciana Poddighe ◽  
Alessandra Mei ◽  
Elena Uleri ◽  
Stefano Sotgiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Human Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Epstein Barr

HLA-DPB1*0501 is not uniquely associated with opticospinal multiple sclerosis in Japanese patients. Important role of DPB1*0301

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Fukazawa ◽  
S Kikuchi ◽  
R Miyagishi ◽  
Y Miyazaki ◽  
I Yabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
White Matter Lesions ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Japanese Patients ◽  
Periventricular White Matter ◽  
Periventricular Lesions ◽  
Periventricular White Matter Lesions

Apart from its unique lesion distribution pattern, the opticospinal form of multiple sclerosis (OSMS) is distinct among Japanese patients who satisfy the diagnostic criteria of MS. OSMS has been suggested to be strongly associated with HLA-DPB1*0501 in Japanese. However, association of DPB1*0301 with non-OSMS and lack of DPB1*0301 in OSMS were also reported. To verify the role of DPB1*0501 and DPB1*0301 in Japanese MS patients we determined the frequencies of these alleles in 26 patients with OSMS, 167 with non-OSMS and 156 normal subjects, who were all residents of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. All (100%) OSMS were negative for DPB1*0301 while 32 (19%) of the non-OSMS were positive for the allele. In DPB1*0301-negatives, the frequencies of DPB1*0501 in OSMS (85%) and non-OSMS (82%) were similar, but both were higher than in the controls (66%). In DPB1*0301-positives, the frequency of DPB1*0501 was low but similar in non-OSMS (12/32; 38%) and controls (6/14; 43%). Periventricular white matter lesions (PVL) were noted in 31 of 32 (97%) DPB1*0301-positive non-OSMS patients but in only 22 out of 135 (16%) DPB1*0301-negative non-OSMS patients and two out of 26 (8%) OSMS patients. Our findings indicate that DPB1*0501 plays an important role in the development of MS in general, but not in OSMS. The strong association of DPB1*0501 with OSMS may be due to the over-representation of the DPB1*0301 allele among individuals in the non-OSMS group. In addition, DPB1*0301 might be relevant to the development of periventricular lesions in Japanese patients with MS.

scholarly journals HERV and Epstein-Barr Virus: Another Piece to Multiple Sclerosis Puzzle

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia Caroline Breis ◽  
Marco Antônio Machado Schlindwein ◽  
Marcus Vinicius Magno Gonçalves
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Epstein Barr Virus ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Human Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Ms Pathogenesis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has a well established link with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and a growing association with human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). In this review, we described how these two pieces may interact in MS pathogenesis

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