Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) - specific antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients, including targeted investigation of a candidate EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) B cell epitope

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a very complex disease, with different genetic and environmental factors contributing to its risk. In particular, infection with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) has been shown to increase MS risk. This risk is moderately associated with anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) antibodies, but very strongly associated for anti-EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) antibodies. Focus on EBNA-1 has uncovered that antibody reactivity against a C-terminal part the of the protein (amino acid (aa) positions 385-420) is a stronger risk marker than antibodies against the whole EBNA-1 protein. Recently, in a small study in twins (n=12), a putative B cell epitope within this region (aa 401-411) has been identified as a target for antibodies that are specifically enriched in MS patients compared with healthy controls