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Lehikoinen J, Nurmi K, Ainola M, Clancy J, Nieminen JK, Jansson L, Vauhkonen H, Vaheri A, Smura T, Laakso SM, Eklund KK, Tienari PJ. Epstein-Barr Virus in the Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood Compartments of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Controls. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2024; 11:e200226. [PMID: 38608226 PMCID: PMC11087029 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a major risk factor of multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined the presence of EBV DNA in the CSF and blood of patients with MS and controls. We analyzed whether EBV DNA is more common in the CSF of patients with MS than in controls and estimated the proportions of EBV-positive B cells in the CSF and blood. METHODS CSF supernatants and cells were collected at diagnostic lumbar punctures from 45 patients with MS and 45 HLA-DR15 matched controls with other conditions, all participants were EBV seropositive. Cellular DNA was amplified by Phi polymerase targeting both host and viral DNA, and representative samples were obtained in 28 cases and 28 controls. Nonamplified DNA from CSF cells (14 cases, 14 controls) and blood B cells (10 cases, 10 controls) were analyzed in a subset of participants. Multiple droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) runs were performed per sample to assess the cumulative EBV positivity rate. To detect viral RNA as a sign of activation, RNA sequencing was performed in blood CD4-positive, CD8-positive, and CD19-positive cells from 21 patients with MS and 3 controls. RESULTS One of the 45 patients with MS and none of the 45 controls were positive for EBV DNA in CSF supernatants (1 mL). CSF cellular DNA was analyzed in 8 independent ddPCRs: EBV DNA was detected at least once in 18 (64%) of the 28 patients with MS and in 15 (54%) of the 28 controls (p = 0.59, Fisher test). The cumulative EBV positivity increased steadily up to 59% in the successive ddPCRs, suggesting that all individuals would have reached EBV positivity in the CSF cells, if more DNA would have been analyzed. The estimated proportion of EBV-positive B cells was >1/10,000 in both the CSF and blood. We did not detect viral RNA, except from endogenous retroviruses, in the blood lymphocyte subpopulations. DISCUSSION EBV-DNA is equally detectable in the CSF cells of both patients with MS and controls with ddPCR, and the probabilistic approach indicates that the true positivity rate approaches 100% in EBV-positive individuals. The proportion of EBV-positive B cells seems higher than previously estimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joonas Lehikoinen
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katariina Nurmi
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mari Ainola
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonna Clancy
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Janne K Nieminen
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lilja Jansson
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Vauhkonen
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Vaheri
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teemu Smura
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sini M Laakso
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari K Eklund
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pentti J Tienari
- From the Translational Immunology Research Program (J.L., K.N., M.A., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., K.K.E., P.J.T.), University of Helsinki; Departments of Neurology (J.L., J.K.N., L.J., S.M.L., P.J.T.), Neurocenter, and Rheumatology (K.N., M.A., K.K.E.), Helsinki University Hospital; Research and Development (J.C.), Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki; and Department of Virology (H.V., A.V., T.S.), Medicum, University of Helsinki, Finland
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Serafini B, Benincasa L, Rosicarelli B, Aloisi F. EBV infected cells in the multiple sclerosis brain express PD-L1: How the virus and its niche may escape immune surveillance. J Neuroimmunol 2024; 389:578314. [PMID: 38422689 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2024.578314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The presence of EBV infected B cells in postmortem multiple sclerosis (MS) brain tissue suggests immune evasion strategies. Using immunohistochemical techniques we analysed the expression of the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1 and its receptor PD-1 in MS brains containing B cell-enriched perivascular infiltrates and meningeal follicles, a major EBV reservoir. PD-1 and PD-L1 immunoreactivities were restricted to CNS-infiltrating immune cells. PD-L1 was expressed on B cells, including EBV infected B cells, while PD-1 was expressed on many CD8+ T cells, including EBV-specific CD8+ T-cells, and fewer CD4+ T cells. PD-L1+ cells and EBV infected cells were in close contact with PD-1+ T cells. PD-L1 expressed by EBV infected B cells could favour local immune evasion leading to EBV persistence and immunopathology in the MS brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Lucia Benincasa
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Barbara Rosicarelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Aloisi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Schwab N. Transcriptomics reveals CSF cellular composition in multiple sclerosis but detects no viral RNA. Brain 2024; 147:333-334. [PMID: 38181428 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
This scientific commentary refers to ‘Expression profiling of cerebrospinal fluid identifies dysregulated antiviral mechanisms in multiple sclerosis’ by Ban et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad404).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Schwab
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
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Asplund Högelin K, Isac B, Khademi M, Al Nimer F. B cell activating factor levels are linked to distinct B cell markers in multiple sclerosis and following B cell depletion and repopulation. Clin Immunol 2024; 258:109870. [PMID: 38101497 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the important role of B cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). B cell activating factor (BAFF) and A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) play a major role in B cell survival and homeostasis. Here, we studied the association of BAFF and APRIL with B cell immune markers in MS and following B cell depletion and repopulation. We found that BAFF but not APRIL was significantly higher in plasma in untreated MS compared to controls. BAFF increased after rituximab treatment and decreased again during repopulation displaying an inverse correlation with B cell numbers, and more specifically switched memory B cell numbers. Cerebrospinal fluid BAFF inversely correlated with IgG index. BAFF displayed an inverse association to anti-EBV-CA antibodies. In summary, our study identified immune cells and factors that might regulate or be regulated by BAFF and APRIL levels in MS, and during B cell depletion and repopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Asplund Högelin
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Beshoy Isac
- Biomedical Laboratory Science, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohsen Khademi
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Faiez Al Nimer
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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van Noort JM, Baker D, Kipp M, Amor S. The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis: a series of unfortunate events. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 214:1-17. [PMID: 37410892 PMCID: PMC10711360 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by the chronic inflammatory destruction of myelinated axons in the central nervous system. Several ideas have been put forward to clarify the roles of the peripheral immune system and neurodegenerative events in such destruction. Yet, none of the resulting models appears to be consistent with all the experimental evidence. They also do not answer the question of why MS is exclusively seen in humans, how Epstein-Barr virus contributes to its development but does not immediately trigger it, and why optic neuritis is such a frequent early manifestation in MS. Here we describe a scenario for the development of MS that unifies existing experimental evidence as well as answers the above questions. We propose that all manifestations of MS are caused by a series of unfortunate events that usually unfold over a longer period of time after a primary EBV infection and involve periodic weakening of the blood-brain barrier, antibody-mediated CNS disturbances, accumulation of the oligodendrocyte stress protein αB-crystallin and self-sustaining inflammatory damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes M van Noort
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David Baker
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Markus Kipp
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Sandra Amor
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
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6
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Bogers L, Kuiper KL, Smolders J, Rip J, van Luijn MM. Epstein-Barr virus and genetic risk variants as determinants of T-bet + B cell-driven autoimmune diseases. Immunol Lett 2023; 261:66-74. [PMID: 37451321 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
B cells expressing the transcription factor T-bet are found to have a protective role in viral infections, but are also considered major players in the onset of different types of autoimmune diseases. Currently, the exact mechanisms driving such 'atypical' memory B cells to contribute to protective immunity or autoimmunity are unclear. In addition to general autoimmune-related factors including sex and age, the ways T-bet+ B cells instigate autoimmune diseases may be determined by the close interplay between genetic risk variants and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The impact of EBV on T-bet+ B cells likely relies on the type of risk variants associated with each autoimmune disease, which may affect their differentiation, migratory routes and effector function. In this hypothesis-driven review, we discuss the lines of evidence pointing to such genetic and/or EBV-mediated influence on T-bet+ B cells in a range of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). We provide examples of how genetic risk variants can be linked to certain signaling pathways and are differentially affected by EBV to shape T-bet+ B-cells. Finally, we propose options to improve current treatment of B cell-related autoimmune diseases by more selective targeting of pathways that are critical for pathogenic T-bet+ B-cell formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurens Bogers
- MS Center ErasMS, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Kirsten L Kuiper
- MS Center ErasMS, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Smolders
- MS Center ErasMS, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands; MS Center ErasMS, Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology research group, Amsterdam 1105 BA, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper Rip
- MS Center ErasMS, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Marvin M van Luijn
- MS Center ErasMS, Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands.
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Monaco MCG, Soldan SS, Su C, Clauze A, Cooper JF, Patel RJ, Lu F, Hughes RJ, Messick TE, Andrada FC, Ohayon J, Lieberman PM, Jacobson S. EBNA1 Inhibitors Block Proliferation of Spontaneous Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines From Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Controls. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2023; 10:e200149. [PMID: 37562974 PMCID: PMC10414776 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus that establishes lifelong latency in memory B cells and has been identified as a major risk factor of multiple sclerosis (MS). B cell depletion therapies have disease-modifying benefit in MS. However, it is unclear whether this benefit is partly attributable to the elimination of EBV+ B cells. Currently, there are no EBV-specific antiviral therapies available for targeting EBV latent infection in MS and limited experimental models to study EBV in MS. METHODS In this study, we describe the establishment of spontaneous lymphoblastoid cell lines (SLCLs) generated ex vivo with the endogenous EBV of patients with MS and controls and treated with either an Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) inhibitor (VK-1727) or cladribine, a nucleoside analog that eliminates B cells. RESULTS We showed that a small molecule inhibitor of EBNA1, a critical regulator of the EBV life cycle, blocks the proliferation and metabolic activity of these SLCLs. In contrast to cladribine, a highly cytotoxic B cell depleting therapy currently used in MS, the EBNA1 inhibitor VK-1727 was cytostatic rather than cytotoxic and selective for EBV+ cells, while having no discernible effects on EBV- cells. We validate that VK-1727 reduces EBNA1 DNA binding at known viral and cellular sites by ChIP-qPCR. DISCUSSION This study shows that patient-derived SLCLs provide a useful tool for interrogating the role of EBV+ B cells in MS and suggests that a clinical trial testing the effect of EBNA1 inhibitors in MS may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara G Monaco
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Samantha S Soldan
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Chenhe Su
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Annaliese Clauze
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - John F Cooper
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Rishi J Patel
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Fang Lu
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Randall J Hughes
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Troy E Messick
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Frances C Andrada
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Joan Ohayon
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Paul M Lieberman
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Steven Jacobson
- From the Neuroimmunology Branch (M.C.G.M., A.C., R.J.H., S.J.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD; The Wistar Institute (S.S.S., C.S., J.F.C., R.J.P., F.L., T.E.M., P.M.L.), Philadelphia, PA; and Neuroimmunology Clinic (F.C.A., J.O.), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD.
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Dinov D, Brenton JN. Environmental Influences on Risk and Disease Course in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2023; 46:101049. [PMID: 37451747 PMCID: PMC10351032 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2023.101049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) accounts for 3%-10% of all patients diagnosed with MS. Complex interplay between environmental factors impacts the risk for MS and may also affect disease course. Many of these environmental factors are shared with adult-onset MS. However, children with MS are in closer temporal proximity to the biological onset of MS and have less confounding environmental exposures than their adult counterparts. Environmental factors that contribute to MS risk include: geographical latitude, viral exposures, obesity, vitamin deficiencies, smoking, air pollution, perinatal factors, gut microbiome, and diet. More recently, research efforts have shifted to studying the impact of these risk determinants on the clinical course of MS. In this article we will examine relevant environmental risk determinants of pediatric MS and review the current knowledge on how these factors may contribute to pediatric MS disease evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darina Dinov
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - James Nicholas Brenton
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
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9
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Frau J, Coghe G, Lorefice L, Fenu G, Cocco E. The Role of Microorganisms in the Etiopathogenesis of Demyelinating Diseases. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1309. [PMID: 37374092 DOI: 10.3390/life13061309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD) are inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) with a multifactorial aetiology. Environmental factors are important for their development and microorganisms could play a determining role. They can directly damage the CNS, but their interaction with the immune system is even more important. The possible mechanisms involved include molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, bystander activation and the dual cell receptor theory. The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in MS has been definitely established, since being seropositive is a necessary condition for the onset of MS. EBV interacts with genetic and environmental factors, such as low levels of vitamin D and human endogenous retrovirus (HERV), another microorganism implicated in the disease. Many cases of onset or exacerbation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have been described after infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, EBV and human immunodeficiency virus; however, no definite association with a virus has been found. A possible role has been suggested for Helicobacter pylori, in particular in individuals with aquaporin 4 antibodies. The onset of MOGAD could occur after an infection, mainly in the monophasic course of the disease. A role for the HERV in MOGAD has been hypothesized. In this review, we examined the current understanding of the involvement of infectious factors in MS, NMO and MOGAD. Our objective was to elucidate the roles of each microorganism in initiating the diseases and influencing their clinical progression. We aimed to discuss both the infectious factors that have a well-established role and those that have yielded conflicting results across various studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Frau
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, ASL Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Coghe
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, ASL Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lorena Lorefice
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, ASL Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Eleonora Cocco
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, ASL Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
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10
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Debuysschere C, Nekoua MP, Hober D. Markers of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1262. [PMID: 37317236 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral infections have been suspected of being involved in the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases for many years. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family, is thought to be associated with the onset and/or the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and type 1 diabetes. The lifecycle of EBV consists of lytic cycles and latency programmes (0, I, II and III) occurring in infected B-cells. During this lifecycle, viral proteins and miRNAs are produced. This review provides an overview of the detection of EBV infection, focusing on markers of latency and lytic phases in MS. In MS patients, the presence of latency proteins and antibodies has been associated with lesions and dysfunctions of the central nervous system (CNS). In addition, miRNAs, expressed during lytic and latency phases, may be detected in the CNS of MS patients. Lytic reactivations of EBV can occur in the CNS of patients as well, with the presence of lytic proteins and T-cells reacting to this protein in the CNS of MS patients. In conclusion, markers of EBV infection can be found in MS patients, which argues in favour of a relationship between EBV and MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Debuysschere
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | | | - Didier Hober
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France
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11
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Ortega-Hernandez OD, Martínez-Cáceres EM, Presas-Rodríguez S, Ramo-Tello C. Epstein-Barr Virus and Multiple Sclerosis: A Convoluted Interaction and the Opportunity to Unravel Predictive Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087407. [PMID: 37108566 PMCID: PMC10138841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the early 1980s, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been described as one of the main risk factors for developing multiple sclerosis (MS), and recently, new epidemiological evidence has reinforced this premise. EBV seroconversion precedes almost 99% of the new cases of MS and likely predates the first clinical symptoms. The molecular mechanisms of this association are complex and may involve different immunological routes, perhaps all running in parallel (i.e., molecular mimicry, the bystander damage theory, abnormal cytokine networks, and coinfection of EBV with retroviruses, among others). However, despite the large amount of evidence available on these topics, the ultimate role of EBV in the pathogenesis of MS is not fully understood. For instance, it is unclear why after EBV infection some individuals develop MS while others evolve to lymphoproliferative disorders or systemic autoimmune diseases. In this regard, recent studies suggest that the virus may exert epigenetic control over MS susceptibility genes by means of specific virulence factors. Such genetic manipulation has been described in virally-infected memory B cells from patients with MS and are thought to be the main source of autoreactive immune responses. Yet, the role of EBV infection in the natural history of MS and in the initiation of neurodegeneration is even less clear. In this narrative review, we will discuss the available evidence on these topics and the possibility of harnessing such immunological alterations to uncover predictive biomarkers for the onset of MS and perhaps facilitate prognostication of the clinical course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar-Danilo Ortega-Hernandez
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol-IGTP, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Eva M Martínez-Cáceres
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol-IGTP, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Silvia Presas-Rodríguez
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol-IGTP, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Cristina Ramo-Tello
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol-IGTP, 08916 Badalona, Spain
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12
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Aloisi F, Giovannoni G, Salvetti M. Epstein-Barr virus as a cause of multiple sclerosis: opportunities for prevention and therapy. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:338-349. [PMID: 36764322 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(22)00471-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the CNS that results from the interplay between heritable and environmental factors. Mounting evidence from different fields of research supports the pivotal role of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the development of multiple sclerosis. However, translating this knowledge into clinically actionable information requires a better understanding of the mechanisms linking EBV to pathophysiology. Ongoing research is trying to clarify whether EBV causes neuroinflammation via autoimmunity or antiviral immunity, and if the interaction of EBV with genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis can explain why a ubiquitous virus promotes immune dysfunction in susceptible individuals. If EBV also has a role in driving disease activity, the characterisation of this role will help diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment in people with multiple sclerosis. Ongoing clinical trials targeting EBV and new anti-EBV vaccines provide hope for future treatments and preventive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Aloisi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Preventive Neurology Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine and Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University, London, UK
| | - Marco Salvetti
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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13
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Serafini B, Rosicarelli B, Veroni C, Aloisi F. Tissue-resident memory T cells in the multiple sclerosis brain and their relationship to Epstein-Barr virus infected B cells. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 376:578036. [PMID: 36753806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Presence of EBV infected B cells and EBV-specific CD8 T cells in the multiple sclerosis (MS) brain suggests a role for virus-driven immunopathology in brain inflammation. Tissue-resident memory (Trm) T cells differentiating in MS lesions could provide local protection against EBV reactivation. Using immunohistochemical techniques to analyse canonical tissue residency markers in postmortem brains from control and MS cases, we report that CD103 and/or CD69 are mainly expressed in a subset of CD8+ T cells that intermingle with and contact EBV infected B cells in the infiltrated MS white matter and meninges, including B-cell follicles. Some Trm-like cells were found to express granzyme B and PD-1, mainly in white matter lesions. In the MS brain, Trm cells could fail to constrain EBV infection while contributing to sustain inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Barbara Rosicarelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Caterina Veroni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Aloisi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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14
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Dyer Z, Tscharke D, Sutton I, Massey J. From bedside to bench: how existing therapies inform the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis. Clin Transl Immunology 2023; 12:e1437. [PMID: 36844913 PMCID: PMC9947628 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) has advanced dramatically despite incomplete understanding of the cause of the condition. Current treatment involves inducing broad effects on immune cell populations with consequent off-target side effects, and no treatment can completely prevent disability progression. Further therapeutic advancement will require a better understanding of the pathobiology of MS. Interest in the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in multiple sclerosis has intensified based on strong epidemiological evidence of an association between EBV seroprevalence and MS. Hypotheses proposed to explain the biological relationship between EBV and MS include molecular mimicry, EBV immortalised autoreactive B cells and infection of glial cells by EBV. Examining the interaction between EBV and immunotherapies that have demonstrated efficacy in MS offers clues to the validity of these hypotheses. The efficacy of B cell depleting therapies could be consistent with a hypothesis that EBV-infected B cells drive MS; however, loss of T cell control of B cells does not exacerbate MS. A number of MS therapies invoke change in EBV-specific T cell populations, but pathogenic EBV-specific T cells with cross-reactivity to CNS antigen have not been identified. Immune reconstitution therapies induce EBV viraemia and expansion of EBV-specific T cell clones, but this does not correlate with relapse. Much remains unknown regarding the role of EBV in MS pathogenesis. We discuss future translational research that could fill important knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Dyer
- Blood Stem Cell and Cancer Research Group, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical ResearchDarlinghurstNSWAustralia,St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of New South Wales (UNSW)DarlinghurstNSWAustralia
| | - David Tscharke
- John Curtin School of Medical ResearchAustralian National UniversityCanberraACTAustralia
| | - Ian Sutton
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of New South Wales (UNSW)DarlinghurstNSWAustralia,Department of NeurologySt Vincent's ClinicDarlinghurstNSWAustralia
| | - Jennifer Massey
- Blood Stem Cell and Cancer Research Group, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical ResearchDarlinghurstNSWAustralia,St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of New South Wales (UNSW)DarlinghurstNSWAustralia,Department of NeurologySt Vincent's ClinicDarlinghurstNSWAustralia,Department of NeurologySt Vincent's HospitalDarlinghurstNSWAustralia
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15
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Thomas OG, Rickinson A, Palendira U. Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis: moving from questions of association to questions of mechanism. Clin Transl Immunology 2023; 12:e1451. [PMID: 37206956 PMCID: PMC10191779 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS) has puzzled researchers since it was first discovered over 40 years ago. Until that point, EBV was primarily viewed as a cancer-causing agent, but the culmination of evidence now shows that EBV has a pivotal role in development of MS. Early MS disease is characterised by episodic neuroinflammation and focal lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) that over time develop into progressive neurodegeneration and disability. Risk of MS is vanishingly low in EBV seronegative individuals, history of infectious mononucleosis (acute symptomatic primary infection with EBV) significantly increases risk and elevated antibody titres directed against EBV antigens are well-characterised in patients. However, the underlying mechanism - or mechanisms - responsible for this interplay remains to be fully elucidated; how does EBV-induced immune dysregulation either trigger or drive MS in susceptible individuals? Furthermore, deep understanding of virological and immunological events during primary infection and long-term persistence in B cells will help to answer the many questions that remain regarding MS pathogenesis. This review discusses the current evidence and mechanisms surrounding EBV and MS, which have important implications for the future of MS therapies and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia G Thomas
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Therapeutic Immune Design, Centre for Molecular MedicineKarolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
| | - Alan Rickinson
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental SciencesUniversity of Birmingham, EdgbastonBirminghamUK
| | - Umaimainthan Palendira
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneyCamperdownNSWAustralia
- Charles Perkins CentreThe University of SydneyCamperdownNSWAustralia
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16
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Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human lymphotropic herpesvirus with a well-established causal role in several cancers. Recent studies have provided compelling epidemiological and mechanistic evidence for a causal role of EBV in multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system and is thought to be triggered in genetically predisposed individuals by an infectious agent, with EBV as the lead candidate. How a ubiquitous virus that typically leads to benign latent infections can promote cancer and autoimmune disease in at-risk populations is not fully understood. Here we review the evidence that EBV is a causal agent for MS and how various risk factors may affect EBV infection and immune control. We focus on EBV contributing to MS through reprogramming of latently infected B lymphocytes and the chronic presentation of viral antigens as a potential source of autoreactivity through molecular mimicry. We consider how knowledge of EBV-associated cancers may be instructive for understanding the role of EBV in MS and discuss the potential for therapies that target EBV to treat MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha S. Soldan
- grid.251075.40000 0001 1956 6678The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Paul M. Lieberman
- grid.251075.40000 0001 1956 6678The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA USA
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17
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Elkjaer ML, Simon L, Frisch T, Bente LM, Kacprowski T, Thomassen M, Reynolds R, Baumbach J, Röttger R, Illes Z. Hypothesis of a potential BrainBiota and its relation to CNS autoimmune inflammation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1043579. [PMID: 36532064 PMCID: PMC9756883 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1043579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious agents have been long considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases as part of the interaction between genetic susceptibility and the environment. The role of bacteria in CNS autoimmunity has also been highlighted by changes in the diversity of gut microbiota in patients with neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer disease and multiple sclerosis, emphasizing the role of the gut-brain axis. We discuss the hypothesis of a brain microbiota, the BrainBiota: bacteria living in symbiosis with brain cells. Existence of various bacteria in the human brain is suggested by morphological evidence, presence of bacterial proteins, metabolites, transcripts and mucosal-associated invariant T cells. Based on our data, we discuss the hypothesis that these bacteria are an integral part of brain development and immune tolerance as well as directly linked to the gut microbiome. We further suggest that changes of the BrainBiota during brain diseases may be the consequence or cause of the chronic inflammation similarly to the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L. Elkjaer
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark,BRIDGE, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark,Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark,*Correspondence: Maria L. Elkjaer, ; Zsolt Illes,
| | - Lukas Simon
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tobias Frisch
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lisa-Marie Bente
- Division Data Science in Biomedicine, Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics, Technische Universität Braunschweig and Hannover Medical School, Braunschweig, Germany,Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunchweig, Germany
| | - Tim Kacprowski
- Division Data Science in Biomedicine, Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics, Technische Universität Braunschweig and Hannover Medical School, Braunschweig, Germany,Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunchweig, Germany
| | - Mads Thomassen
- BRIDGE, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark,Research Unit of Human Genetics, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Richard Reynolds
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom,Centre for Molecular Neuropathology, LKC School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jan Baumbach
- Chair of Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Richard Röttger
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Zsolt Illes
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark,BRIDGE, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark,Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark,*Correspondence: Maria L. Elkjaer, ; Zsolt Illes,
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18
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Olmez O, Baba C, Abasiyanik Z, Ozakbas S. Epstein-Barr virus antibody in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients and its association with relapse severity and lesion location. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 68:104149. [PMID: 36096010 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epstein-Barr virus is considered a risk factor for the development of multiple sclerosis, and recent findings reveal infected plasma -cells in meningeal ectopic lymphoid deposits. Activation of the dormant virus could be responsible for the multiple sclerosis exacerbation AIMS: To compare Epstein-Barr nuclear IgG (EBNA IgG) titer in newly diagnosed treatment-naive multiple sclerosis patients regarding the diagnoses date, clinical and radiological activity. METHODS Treatment-naive multiple sclerosis patients were divided into two groups according to Poser (late group) and McDonald2017(early group) diagnostic criteria. EBNA IgG, EDSS, physical (Timed 25 Foot Walk test, Nine-hole Peg test), and cognitive tests (Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis) were done before the methylprednisolone infusion. The lesion location was evaluated by an MRI. Myelitis was considered a severe attack, and optic neuritis a mild relapse. RESULTS In total, 69 patients were enrolled. 44 (63.8%) of them were diagnosed by McDonald2017, and 25 (36.2%) were diagnosed with Poser criteria. There was a significant difference (p = 0.049) between the EBNA IgG titer of the late (median:238 U/ml, IQR: 154-362) and early (median: 154 U/ml, IQR:100.25-293.25). Severe relapse, having a spinal cord lesion, and not being treated with methylprednisolone was associated with higher EBNA IgG titer. CONCLUSION Study results show that EBNA IgG was significantly associated with disease activity regarding relapse severity and lesion location and could be a potential biomarker for predicting disease exacerbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onder Olmez
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cavid Baba
- Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Zuhal Abasiyanik
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciraltı mah. Mithatpaşa cad., Izmir 35340, Turkey; Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Serkan Ozakbas
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
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19
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Hassani A, Khan G. What do animal models tell us about the role of EBV in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis? Front Immunol 2022; 13:1036155. [PMID: 36466898 PMCID: PMC9712437 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1036155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS), marked primarily by demyelination, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. While the prevalence and incidence rates of MS are on the rise, the etiology of the disease remains enigmatic. Nevertheless, it is widely acknowledged that MS develops in persons who are both genetically predisposed and exposed to a certain set of environmental factors. One of the most plausible environmental culprits is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common herpesvirus asymptomatically carried by more than 90% of the adult population. How EBV induces MS pathogenesis remains unknown. A comprehensive understanding of the biology of EBV infection and how it contributes to dysfunction of the immune system and CNS, requires an appreciation of the viral dynamics within the host. Here, we aim to outline the different animal models, including nonhuman primates (NHP), rodents, and rabbits, that have been used to elucidate the link between EBV and MS. This review particularly focuses on how the disruption in virus-immune interaction plays a role in viral pathogenesis and promotes neuroinflammation. We also summarize the effects of virus titers, age of animals, and route of inoculation on the neuroinvasiveness and neuropathogenic potential of the virus. Reviewing the rich data generated from these animal models could provide directions for future studies aimed to understand the mechanism(s) by which EBV induces MS pathology and insights for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic interventions that could ameliorate the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Hassani
- Dept of Neurology, Division of Movement Disorders, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Gulfaraz Khan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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20
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Schneider-Hohendorf T, Gerdes LA, Pignolet B, Gittelman R, Ostkamp P, Rubelt F, Raposo C, Tackenberg B, Riepenhausen M, Janoschka C, Wünsch C, Bucciarelli F, Flierl-Hecht A, Beltrán E, Kümpfel T, Anslinger K, Gross CC, Chapman H, Kaplan I, Brassat D, Wekerle H, Kerschensteiner M, Klotz L, Lünemann JD, Hohlfeld R, Liblau R, Wiendl H, Schwab N. Broader Epstein-Barr virus-specific T cell receptor repertoire in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213431. [PMID: 36048016 PMCID: PMC9437111 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection precedes multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology and cross-reactive antibodies might link EBV infection to CNS autoimmunity. As an altered anti-EBV T cell reaction was suggested in MS, we queried peripheral blood T cell receptor β chain (TCRβ) repertoires of 1,395 MS patients, 887 controls, and 35 monozygotic, MS-discordant twin pairs for multimer-confirmed, viral antigen-specific TCRβ sequences. We detected more MHC-I-restricted EBV-specific TCRβ sequences in MS patients. Differences in genetics or upbringing could be excluded by validation in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for MS. Anti-VLA-4 treatment amplified this observation, while interferon β- or anti-CD20 treatment did not modulate EBV-specific T cell occurrence. In healthy individuals, EBV-specific CD8+ T cells were of an effector-memory phenotype in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid. In MS patients, cerebrospinal fluid also contained EBV-specific central-memory CD8+ T cells, suggesting recent priming. Therefore, MS is not only preceded by EBV infection, but also associated with broader EBV-specific TCR repertoires, consistent with an ongoing anti-EBV immune reaction in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman Schneider-Hohendorf
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lisa Ann Gerdes
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital and Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.,Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Béatrice Pignolet
- Toulouse Institute for infectious and inflammatory diseases (Infinity), University of Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Patrick Ostkamp
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | - Björn Tackenberg
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.,Philipps-University, Department of Neurology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marianne Riepenhausen
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Claudia Janoschka
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christian Wünsch
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Florence Bucciarelli
- Toulouse Institute for infectious and inflammatory diseases (Infinity), University of Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Andrea Flierl-Hecht
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital and Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.,Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Eduardo Beltrán
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital and Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.,Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Tania Kümpfel
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital and Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.,Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Anslinger
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Catharina C Gross
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Hartmut Wekerle
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital and Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Martin Kerschensteiner
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital and Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany.,Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Luisa Klotz
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jan D Lünemann
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Reinhard Hohlfeld
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University Hospital and Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany.,Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Roland Liblau
- Toulouse Institute for infectious and inflammatory diseases (Infinity), University of Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Heinz Wiendl
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nicholas Schwab
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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21
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Giovannoni G, Vanderdonckt P, Hartung HP, Lassmann H, Comi G. EBV and multiple sclerosis: Setting the research agenda. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 67:104158. [PMID: 36116382 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | | | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Hans-Peter Hartung, Klinik für Neurologie, Heinrich-Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans Lassmann
- Hans Lassmann, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Wien, Austria
| | - Giancarlo Comi
- Giancarlo Comi, Multiple Sclerosis Centres of Gallarate, and Casa di Cura del Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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22
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Loosen SH, Doege C, Meuth SG, Luedde T, Kostev K, Roderburg C. Infectious mononucleosis is associated with an increased incidence of multiple sclerosis: Results from a cohort study of 32,116 outpatients in Germany. Front Immunol 2022; 13:937583. [PMID: 35983044 PMCID: PMC9379368 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.937583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) has not yet been fully uncovered. There is increasing evidence that Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV) infection, which affects over 90% of people during life and causes infectious mononucleosis, leads to an increased incidence of MS, and thus may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of the disease. Methods Using the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) featuring diagnoses as well as basic medical and demographic data of outpatients from general practices in Germany, we identified a total of 16,058 patients with infectious mononucleosis that were matched to a cohort of equal size without infectious mononucleosis based on patients’ age, sex, index year and yearly consultation frequency. Incidence of MS was compared within a 10-year follow-up period. Results Within 10 years from the index date, the incidence of MS was 22.6 cases per 100,000 person-years among patient with infectious mononucleosis but only 11.9 cases per 100,000 person-years among individuals without infectious mononucleosis. In regression analysis, infectious mononucleosis was significantly associated with the incidence of MS (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.09-3.16). Subgroup analysis revealed the strongest association between infectious mononucleosis and MS in the age group between 14 and 20 years (HR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.00-12.37) as well as a stronger association in men compared to women. Conclusion Infectious mononucleosis is associated with an increased incidence of MS especially in younger individuals. Our data support the growing evidence of a decisive involvement of EBV in the currently unknown pathophysiology of MS and should trigger further research efforts to better understand and potentially prevent cases of this disabling disease in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven H. Loosen
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- *Correspondence: Tom Luedde, ; Sven H. Loosen,
| | - Corinna Doege
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Central Hospital Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Sven G. Meuth
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- *Correspondence: Tom Luedde, ; Sven H. Loosen,
| | | | - Christoph Roderburg
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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23
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Fernández Blanco L, Marzin M, Leistra A, van der Valk P, Nutma E, Amor S. Immunopathology of the Optic Nerve in Multiple Sclerosis. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 209:236-246. [PMID: 35778909 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Optic neuritis, a primary clinical manifestation commonly observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major factor leading to permanent loss of vision. Despite decreased vision (optic neuritis), diplopia, and nystagmus, the immunopathology of the optic nerve in MS is unclear. Here, we have characterised the optic nerve pathology in a large cohort of MS cases (n=154), focusing on the immune responses in a sub-cohort of MS (n=30) and control (n=6) cases. Immunohistochemistry was used to characterise the myeloid (HLA-DR, CD68, Iba1, TMEM119, P2RY12) and adaptive immune cells (CD4, CD8, CD138) in the parenchyma, perivascular spaces, and meninges in optic nerve tissues from MS and control cases. Of the 154 MS cases, 122 (79%) reported visual problems of which 99 (81%) optic nerves showed evidence of damage. Of the 31 cases with no visual disturbances, 19 (61%) showed evidence of pathology. A pattern of myeloid cell activity and demyelination in the optic nerve was similar to white matter lesions in the brain and spinal cord. In the optic nerves, adaptive immune cells were more abundant in the meninges close to active and chronic active lesions, and significantly higher compared to the parenchyma. Similar to brain tissues in this Dutch cohort, B-cell follicles in the meninges were absent. Our study reveals that optic nerve pathology is a frequent event in MS and may occur in the absence of clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Marzin
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alida Leistra
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul van der Valk
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Nutma
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Amor
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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24
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MINI-review of Epstein-Barr virus involvement in multiple sclerosis etiology and pathogenesis. J Neuroimmunol 2022; 371:577935. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2022.577935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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25
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26
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Pachner AR. The Neuroimmunology of Multiple Sclerosis: Fictions and Facts. Front Neurol 2022; 12:796378. [PMID: 35197914 PMCID: PMC8858985 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.796378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been tremendous advances in the neuroimmunology of multiple sclerosis over the past five decades, which have led to improved diagnosis and therapy in the clinic. However, further advances must take into account an understanding of some of the complex issues in the field, particularly an appreciation of “facts” and “fiction.” Not surprisingly given the incredible complexity of both the nervous and immune systems, our understanding of the basic biology of the disease is very incomplete. This lack of understanding has led to many controversies in the field. This review identifies some of these controversies and facts/fictions with relation to the basic neuroimmunology of the disease (cells and molecules), and important clinical issues. Fortunately, the field is in a healthy transition from excessive reliance on animal models to a broader understanding of the disease in humans, which will likely lead to many improved treatments especially of the neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R. Pachner
- Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, United States
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
- *Correspondence: Andrew R. Pachner
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27
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Berger JR, Kakara M. The Elimination of Circulating Epstein-Barr Virus Infected B Cells Underlies Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody Activity in Multiple Sclerosis: A Hypothesis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 59:103678. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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28
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Bjornevik K, Cortese M, Healy BC, Kuhle J, Mina MJ, Leng Y, Elledge SJ, Niebuhr DW, Scher AI, Munger KL, Ascherio A. Longitudinal analysis reveals high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus associated with multiple sclerosis. Science 2022; 375:296-301. [PMID: 35025605 DOI: 10.1126/science.abj8222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 827] [Impact Index Per Article: 413.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system of unknown etiology. We tested the hypothesis that MS is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a cohort comprising more than 10 million young adults on active duty in the US military, 955 of whom were diagnosed with MS during their period of service. Risk of MS increased 32-fold after infection with EBV but was not increased after infection with other viruses, including the similarly transmitted cytomegalovirus. Serum levels of neurofilament light chain, a biomarker of neuroaxonal degeneration, increased only after EBV seroconversion. These findings cannot be explained by any known risk factor for MS and suggest EBV as the leading cause of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kjetil Bjornevik
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marianna Cortese
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian C Healy
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, MS Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael J Mina
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Genetics, and Program in Virology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Department of Epidemiology, and Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yumei Leng
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Genetics, and Program in Virology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen J Elledge
- Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Genetics, and Program in Virology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David W Niebuhr
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ann I Scher
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kassandra L Munger
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alberto Ascherio
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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29
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Bortone F, Scandiffio L, Cavalcante P, Mantegazza R, Bernasconi P. Epstein-Barr Virus in Myasthenia Gravis: Key Contributing Factor Linking Innate Immunity with B-Cell-Mediated Autoimmunity. Infect Dis (Lond) 2021. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.93777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common human herpes virus latently infecting most of the world’s population with periodic reactivations, is the main environmental factor suspected to trigger and/or sustain autoimmunity by its ability to disrupt B-cell tolerance checkpoints. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototypic autoimmune disorder, mostly caused by autoantibodies to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) of the neuromuscular junction, which cause muscle weakness and fatigability. Most patients display hyperplastic thymus, characterized by ectopic germinal center formation, chronic inflammation, exacerbated Toll-like receptor activation, and abnormal B-cell activation. After an overview on MG clinical features and intra-thymic pathogenesis, in the present chapter, we describe our main findings on EBV presence in MG thymuses, including hyperplastic and thymoma thymuses, in relationship with innate immunity activation and data from other autoimmune conditions. Our overall data strongly indicate a critical contribution of EBV to innate immune dysregulation and sustained B-cell-mediated autoimmune response in the pathological thymus of MG patients.
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30
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Hassani A, Reguraman N, Shehab S, Khan G. Primary Peripheral Epstein-Barr Virus Infection Can Lead to CNS Infection and Neuroinflammation in a Rabbit Model: Implications for Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:764937. [PMID: 34899715 PMCID: PMC8656284 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.764937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common herpesvirus associated with malignant and non-malignant conditions. An accumulating body of evidence supports a role for EBV in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease of the CNS. However, little is known about the details of the link between EBV and MS. One obstacle which has hindered research in this area has been the lack of a suitable animal model recapitulating natural infection in humans. We have recently shown that healthy rabbits are susceptible to EBV infection, and viral persistence in these animals mimics latent infection in humans. We used the rabbit model to investigate if peripheral EBV infection can lead to infection of the CNS and its potential consequences. We injected EBV intravenously in one group of animals, and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in another, with and without immunosuppression. Histopathological changes and viral dynamics were examined in peripheral blood, spleen, brain, and spinal cord, using a range of molecular and histopathology techniques. Our investigations uncovered important findings that could not be previously addressed. We showed that primary peripheral EBV infection can lead to the virus traversing the CNS. Cell associated, but not free virus in the plasma, correlated with CNS infection. The infected cells within the brain were found to be B-lymphocytes. Most notably, animals injected with EBV, but not PBS, developed inflammatory cellular aggregates in the CNS. The incidence of these aggregates increased in the immunosuppressed animals. The cellular aggregates contained compact clusters of macrophages surrounded by reactive astrocytes and dispersed B and T lymphocytes, but not myelinated nerve fibers. Moreover, studying EBV infection over a span of 28 days, revealed that the peak point for viral load in the periphery and CNS coincides with increased occurrence of cellular aggregates in the brain. Finally, peripheral EBV infection triggered temporal changes in the expression of latent viral transcripts and cytokines in the brain. The present study provides the first direct in vivo evidence for the role of peripheral EBV infection in CNS pathology, and highlights a unique model to dissect viral mechanisms contributing to the development of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Hassani
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Narendran Reguraman
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Safa Shehab
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gulfaraz Khan
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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31
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Meier UC, Cipian RC, Karimi A, Ramasamy R, Middeldorp JM. Cumulative Roles for Epstein-Barr Virus, Human Endogenous Retroviruses, and Human Herpes Virus-6 in Driving an Inflammatory Cascade Underlying MS Pathogenesis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:757302. [PMID: 34790199 PMCID: PMC8592026 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.757302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Roles for viral infections and aberrant immune responses in driving localized neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) are the focus of intense research. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as a persistent and frequently reactivating virus with major immunogenic influences and a near 100% epidemiological association with MS, is considered to play a leading role in MS pathogenesis, triggering localized inflammation near or within the central nervous system (CNS). This triggering may occur directly via viral products (RNA and protein) and/or indirectly via antigenic mimicry involving B-cells, T-cells and cytokine-activated astrocytes and microglia cells damaging the myelin sheath of neurons. The genetic MS-risk factor HLA-DR2b (DRB1*1501β, DRA1*0101α) may contribute to aberrant EBV antigen-presentation and anti-EBV reactivity but also to mimicry-induced autoimmune responses characteristic of MS. A central role is proposed for inflammatory EBER1, EBV-miRNA and LMP1 containing exosomes secreted by viable reactivating EBV+ B-cells and repetitive release of EBNA1-DNA complexes from apoptotic EBV+ B-cells, forming reactive immune complexes with EBNA1-IgG and complement. This may be accompanied by cytokine- or EBV-induced expression of human endogenous retrovirus-W/-K (HERV-W/-K) elements and possibly by activation of human herpesvirus-6A (HHV-6A) in early-stage CNS lesions, each contributing to an inflammatory cascade causing the relapsing-remitting neuro-inflammatory and/or progressive features characteristic of MS. Elimination of EBV-carrying B-cells by antibody- and EBV-specific T-cell therapy may hold the promise of reducing EBV activity in the CNS, thereby limiting CNS inflammation, MS symptoms and possibly reversing disease. Other approaches targeting HHV-6 and HERV-W and limiting inflammatory kinase-signaling to treat MS are also being tested with promising results. This article presents an overview of the evidence that EBV, HHV-6, and HERV-W may have a pathogenic role in initiating and promoting MS and possible approaches to mitigate development of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute-Christiane Meier
- Institut für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, München, Germany.,Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Abbas Karimi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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32
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Frau J, Coghe G, Lorefice L, Fenu G, Cocco E. Infections and Multiple Sclerosis: From the World to Sardinia, From Sardinia to the World. Front Immunol 2021; 12:728677. [PMID: 34691035 PMCID: PMC8527089 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.728677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Frau
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Azienda Tutela Salute (ATS) Sardegna, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Coghe
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Azienda Tutela Salute (ATS) Sardegna, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lorena Lorefice
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Azienda Tutela Salute (ATS) Sardegna, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fenu
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Azienda Tutela Salute (ATS) Sardegna, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cocco
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Azienda Tutela Salute (ATS) Sardegna, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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33
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Milles P, De Filippo G, Maurey H, Tully T, Deiva K. Obesity in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis: A French Cohort Study. NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2021; 8:8/5/e1044. [PMID: 34285094 PMCID: PMC8293287 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000001044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Objective To study the link between a high body mass index (BMI) in childhood and the occurrence of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) and to compare, within the MS population, the clinical-radiologic-biological characteristics, according to BMI. Methods A case-control study comparing BMI data of 60 patients with POMS (39 girls and 21 boys) at Bicêtre Hospital with that of 113 non-neurologic controls NNCs (68 girls and 45 boys) and 18,614 healthy controls HCs (9,271 girls and 9,343 boys) was performed. Crude BMI (cBMI), residual BMI (rBMI = measured BMI − expected BMI for age), z-score (rBMI/SD), and adult equivalent categories (International Obesity Task Force ≥25 = overweight, ≥30 = obese) were assessed. Results In boys, cBMI and rBMI were significantly higher in patients with POMS compared with NNCs (cBMI: +2.9; rBMI: +2.95, p < 0.01) and HCs (cBMI: +2.04, p < 0.01). In girls, cBMI or rBMI did not differ between POMS and NNCs patients (cBMI p = 0.4; rBMI p = 0.44) but with HCs (cBMI +0.99, p < 0.01). CSF inflammatory markers increased with BMI in prepubertal patients (p < 0.01), whereas vitamin D level at diagnosis was lower in boys with higher BMI (p = 0.016). Increased BMI was not associated with clinical and radiologic disease characteristics. Conclusions Overweight and obesity are more frequently observed at diagnosis, particularly in boys with POMS compared with non-neurologic controls and French HCs. Moreover, BMI is related to initial inflammation in the CSF in prepubertal patients with POMS suggesting an interaction between excess body fat, sexual hormones, and POMS occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Milles
- From the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (P.M., H.M., K.D.), Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Saclay, Hôpital Bicêtre, Pediatric Neurology Department, National Reference Center for Rare Inflammatory Brain and Spinal Diseases, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (G.D.F.), Hôpital Robert Debré, Pediatric Endocrinology Department, French Clinical Research Group in Adolescent Medicine and Health, Paris; and Sorbonne Université (T.T.), CNRS, IRD, INRA, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES Paris, UMR7618, France.
| | - Gianpaolo De Filippo
- From the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (P.M., H.M., K.D.), Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Saclay, Hôpital Bicêtre, Pediatric Neurology Department, National Reference Center for Rare Inflammatory Brain and Spinal Diseases, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (G.D.F.), Hôpital Robert Debré, Pediatric Endocrinology Department, French Clinical Research Group in Adolescent Medicine and Health, Paris; and Sorbonne Université (T.T.), CNRS, IRD, INRA, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES Paris, UMR7618, France
| | - Hélène Maurey
- From the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (P.M., H.M., K.D.), Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Saclay, Hôpital Bicêtre, Pediatric Neurology Department, National Reference Center for Rare Inflammatory Brain and Spinal Diseases, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (G.D.F.), Hôpital Robert Debré, Pediatric Endocrinology Department, French Clinical Research Group in Adolescent Medicine and Health, Paris; and Sorbonne Université (T.T.), CNRS, IRD, INRA, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES Paris, UMR7618, France
| | - Thomas Tully
- From the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (P.M., H.M., K.D.), Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Saclay, Hôpital Bicêtre, Pediatric Neurology Department, National Reference Center for Rare Inflammatory Brain and Spinal Diseases, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (G.D.F.), Hôpital Robert Debré, Pediatric Endocrinology Department, French Clinical Research Group in Adolescent Medicine and Health, Paris; and Sorbonne Université (T.T.), CNRS, IRD, INRA, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES Paris, UMR7618, France
| | - Kumaran Deiva
- From the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (P.M., H.M., K.D.), Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Saclay, Hôpital Bicêtre, Pediatric Neurology Department, National Reference Center for Rare Inflammatory Brain and Spinal Diseases, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (G.D.F.), Hôpital Robert Debré, Pediatric Endocrinology Department, French Clinical Research Group in Adolescent Medicine and Health, Paris; and Sorbonne Université (T.T.), CNRS, IRD, INRA, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, iEES Paris, UMR7618, France
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34
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Veroni C, Aloisi F. The CD8 T Cell-Epstein-Barr Virus-B Cell Trialogue: A Central Issue in Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:665718. [PMID: 34305896 PMCID: PMC8292956 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.665718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The cause and the pathogenic mechanisms leading to multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), are still under scrutiny. During the last decade, awareness has increased that multiple genetic and environmental factors act in concert to modulate MS risk. Likewise, the landscape of cells of the adaptive immune system that are believed to play a role in MS immunopathogenesis has expanded by including not only CD4 T helper cells but also cytotoxic CD8 T cells and B cells. Once the key cellular players are identified, the main challenge is to define precisely how they act and interact to induce neuroinflammation and the neurodegenerative cascade in MS. CD8 T cells have been implicated in MS pathogenesis since the 80's when it was shown that CD8 T cells predominate in MS brain lesions. Interest in the role of CD8 T cells in MS was revived in 2000 and the years thereafter by studies showing that CNS-recruited CD8 T cells are clonally expanded and have a memory effector phenotype indicating in situ antigen-driven reactivation. The association of certain MHC class I alleles with MS genetic risk implicates CD8 T cells in disease pathogenesis. Moreover, experimental studies have highlighted the detrimental effects of CD8 T cell activation on neural cells. While the antigens responsible for T cell recruitment and activation in the CNS remain elusive, the high efficacy of B-cell depleting drugs in MS and a growing number of studies implicate B cells and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a B-lymphotropic herpesvirus that is strongly associated with MS, in the activation of pathogenic T cells. This article reviews the results of human studies that have contributed to elucidate the role of CD8 T cells in MS immunopathogenesis, and discusses them in light of current understanding of autoreactivity, B-cell and EBV involvement in MS, and mechanism of action of different MS treatments. Based on the available evidences, an immunopathological model of MS is proposed that entails a persistent EBV infection of CNS-infiltrating B cells as the target of a dysregulated cytotoxic CD8 T cell response causing CNS tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Aloisi
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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35
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Cencioni MT, Mattoscio M, Magliozzi R, Bar-Or A, Muraro PA. B cells in multiple sclerosis - from targeted depletion to immune reconstitution therapies. Nat Rev Neurol 2021; 17:399-414. [PMID: 34075251 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00498-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates the involvement of B cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), but their precise roles are unclear. In this Review, we provide an overview of the development and physiological functions of B cells and the main mechanisms through which B cells are thought to contribute to CNS autoimmunity. In MS, abnormalities of B cell function include pro-inflammatory cytokine production, defective B cell regulatory function and the formation of tertiary lymphoid-like structures in the CNS, which are the likely source of abnormal immunoglobulin production detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid. We also consider the hypothesis that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is involved in the B cell overactivation that leads to inflammatory injury to the CNS in MS. We also review the immunological effects - with a focus on the effects on B cell subsets - of several successful therapeutic approaches in MS, including agents that selectively deplete B cells (rituximab, ocrelizumab and ofatumumab), agents that less specifically deplete lymphocytes (alemtuzumab and cladribine) and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, in which the immune system is unselectively ablated and reconstituted. We consider the insights that these effects on B cell populations provide and their potential to further our understanding and targeting of B cells in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria T Cencioni
- Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Miriam Mattoscio
- Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Roberta Magliozzi
- Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Neurology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Amit Bar-Or
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Experimental Therapeutics and Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paolo A Muraro
- Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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36
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Jakhmola S, Upadhyay A, Jain K, Mishra A, Jha HC. Herpesviruses and the hidden links to Multiple Sclerosis neuropathology. J Neuroimmunol 2021; 358:577636. [PMID: 34174587 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Herpesviruses like Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus (HHV)-6, HHV-1, VZV, and human endogenous retroviruses, have an age-old clinical association with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is an autoimmune disease of the nervous system wherein the myelin sheath deteriorates. The most popular mode of virus mediated immune system manipulation is molecular mimicry. Numerous herpesvirus antigens are similar to myelin proteins. Other mechanisms described here include the activity of cytokines and autoantibodies produced by the autoreactive T and B cells, respectively, viral déjà vu, epitope spreading, CD46 receptor engagement, impaired remyelination etc. Overall, this review addresses the host-parasite association of viruses with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Jakhmola
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India
| | - Arun Upadhyay
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, India
| | - Khushboo Jain
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, India
| | - Hem Chandra Jha
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India.
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37
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Soldan SS, Su C, Lamontagne RJ, Grams N, Lu F, Zhang Y, Gesualdi JD, Frase DM, Tolvinski LE, Martin K, Messick TE, Fingerut JT, Koltsova E, Kossenkov A, Lieberman PM. Epigenetic Plasticity Enables CNS-Trafficking of EBV-infected B Lymphocytes. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009618. [PMID: 34106998 PMCID: PMC8216538 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Subpopulations of B-lymphocytes traffic to different sites and organs to provide diverse and tissue-specific functions. Here, we provide evidence that epigenetic differences confer a neuroinvasive phenotype. An EBV+ B cell lymphoma cell line (M14) with low frequency trafficking to the CNS was neuroadapted to generate a highly neuroinvasive B-cell population (MUN14). MUN14 B cells efficiently infiltrated the CNS within one week and produced neurological pathologies. We compared the gene expression profiles of viral and cellular genes using RNA-Seq and identified one viral (EBNA1) and several cellular gene candidates, including secreted phosphoprotein 1/osteopontin (SPP1/OPN), neuron navigator 3 (NAV3), CXCR4, and germinal center-associated signaling and motility protein (GCSAM) that were selectively upregulated in MUN14. ATAC-Seq and ChIP-qPCR revealed that these gene expression changes correlated with epigenetic changes at gene regulatory elements. The neuroinvasive phenotype could be attenuated with a neutralizing antibody to OPN, confirming the functional role of this protein in trafficking EBV+ B cells to the CNS. These studies indicate that B-cell trafficking to the CNS can be acquired by epigenetic adaptations and provide a new model to study B-cell neuroinvasion associated CNS lymphoma and autoimmune disease of the CNS, including multiple sclerosis (MS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha S. Soldan
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Chenhe Su
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | - Nicholas Grams
- The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Fang Lu
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Yue Zhang
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James D. Gesualdi
- The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Drew M. Frase
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lois E. Tolvinski
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kayla Martin
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Troy E. Messick
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | - Ekaterina Koltsova
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Andrew Kossenkov
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Paul M. Lieberman
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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38
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Abstract
Many groundbreaking advances have occurred in the field of multiple sclerosis since this series last reviewed the disorder in 2014. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved 7 new medications for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and approved the first medication for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The McDonald criteria for diagnosing multiple sclerosis were updated in 2017. New blood tests can now differentiate patients with multiple sclerosis from those with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and 3 new medications have been approved specifically for the latter disorder. Also, new medications for treating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis have been introduced.
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39
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Frappier L. Epstein-Barr virus: Current questions and challenges. Tumour Virus Res 2021; 12:200218. [PMID: 34052467 PMCID: PMC8173096 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvr.2021.200218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects most people worldwide and persists for life due to complicated interplay between lytic infection and multiple types of latent infections. While usually asymptomatic, EBV is a causative agent in several types of cancer and has a strong association with multiple sclerosis. Exactly how EBV promotes these diseases and why they are rare consequences of infection are incompletely understood. Here I will discuss current ideas on disease induction by EBV, including the importance of lytic protein expression in the context of latent infection as well as the possible importance of specific EBV variants in disease induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Frappier
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 661 University Ave, Suite 1600, Toronto, ON, M5G 1M1, Canada.
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40
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Ruprecht K. The role of Epstein-Barr virus in the etiology of multiple sclerosis: a current review. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2020; 16:1143-1157. [PMID: 33152255 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1847642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. While its exact etiology is unknown, it is generally believed that MS is caused by environmental triggers in genetically predisposed individuals. Strong and consistent evidence suggests a key role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a B lymphotropic human gammaherpesvirus, in the etiology of MS. Areas covered: This review summarizes recent developments in the field of EBV and MS with a focus on potential mechanisms underlying the role of EBV in MS. PubMed was searched for the terms 'Epstein-Barr virus' and 'multiple sclerosis'. Expert opinion: The current evidence is compatible with the working hypothesis that MS is a rare complication of EBV infection. Under the premise of a causative role of EBV in MS, it needs to be postulated that EBV causes a specific, and likely persistent, change(s) that is necessarily required for the development of MS. However, although progress has been made, the nature of that change and thus the precise mechanism explaining the role of EBV in MS remain elusive. The mechanism of EBV in MS therefore is a pressing question, whose clarification may substantially advance the pathophysiological understanding, rational therapies, and prevention of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klemens Ruprecht
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health , Berlin, Germany
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41
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Zdimerova H, Murer A, Engelmann C, Raykova A, Deng Y, Gujer C, Rühl J, McHugh D, Caduff N, Naghavian R, Pezzino G, Capaul R, Zbinden A, Ferlazzo G, Lünemann JD, Martin R, Chatterjee B, Münz C. Attenuated immune control of Epstein-Barr virus in humanized mice is associated with the multiple sclerosis risk factor HLA-DR15. Eur J Immunol 2020; 51:64-75. [PMID: 32949466 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Immune responses to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection synergize with the main genetic risk factor HLA-DRB1*15:01 (HLA-DR15) to increase the likelihood to develop the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS) at least sevenfold. In order to gain insights into this synergy, we investigated HLA-DR15 positive human immune compartments after reconstitution in immune-compromised mice (humanized mice) with and without EBV infection. We detected elevated activation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in HLA-DR15 donor-reconstituted humanized mice at steady state, even when compared to immune compartments carrying HLA-DRB1*04:01 (HLA-DR4), which is associated with other autoimmune diseases. Increased CD8+ T cell expansion and activation was also observed in HLA-DR15 donor-reconstituted humanized mice after EBV infection. Despite this higher immune activation, EBV viral loads were less well controlled in the context of HLA-DR15. Indeed, HLA-DR15-restricted CD4+ T cell clones recognized EBV-transformed B cell lines less efficiently and demonstrated cross-reactivity toward allogeneic target cells and one MS autoantigen. These findings suggest that EBV as one of the main environmental risk factors and HLA-DR15 as the main genetic risk factor for MS synergize by priming hyperreactive T-cell compartments, which then control the viral infection less efficiently and contain cross-reactive CD4+ T cell clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Zdimerova
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anita Murer
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christine Engelmann
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Raykova
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yun Deng
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Gujer
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Rühl
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Donal McHugh
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Caduff
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Reza Naghavian
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research Section, Neurology Clinic, University Hospital Zurich, University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gaetana Pezzino
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biotherapy, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Cell Factory Center, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Cell Therapy Program, University Hospital Policlinico G.Martino, Messina, Italy.,Division of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital Policlinico G.Martino, Messina, Italy
| | - Riccarda Capaul
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Zbinden
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Guido Ferlazzo
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biotherapy, Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Cell Factory Center, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Cell Therapy Program, University Hospital Policlinico G.Martino, Messina, Italy.,Division of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital Policlinico G.Martino, Messina, Italy
| | - Jan D Lünemann
- Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Roland Martin
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research Section, Neurology Clinic, University Hospital Zurich, University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bithi Chatterjee
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Münz
- Viral Immunobiology, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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42
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Abstract
B cells serve as a key weapon against infectious diseases. They also contribute to multiple autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) where depletion of B cells is a highly effective therapy. We describe a comprehensive profile of central nervous system (CNS)-specific transcriptional B cell phenotypes in MS at single-cell resolution with paired immune repertoires. We reveal a polyclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG1 cerebrospinal fluid B cell expansion polarized toward an inflammatory, memory and plasmablast/plasma cell phenotype, with differential up-regulation of specific proinflammatory pathways. We did not find evidence that CNS B cells harbor a neurotropic virus. These data support the targeting of activated resident B cells in the CNS as a potentially effective strategy for control of treatment-resistant chronic disease. Central nervous system B cells have several potential roles in multiple sclerosis (MS): secretors of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, presenters of autoantigens to T cells, producers of pathogenic antibodies, and reservoirs for viruses that trigger demyelination. To interrogate these roles, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) was performed on paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood from subjects with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; n = 12), other neurologic diseases (ONDs; n = 1), and healthy controls (HCs; n = 3). Single-cell immunoglobulin sequencing (scIg-Seq) was performed on a subset of these subjects and additional RRMS (n = 4), clinically isolated syndrome (n = 2), and OND (n = 2) subjects. Further, paired CSF and blood B cell subsets (RRMS; n = 7) were isolated using fluorescence activated cell sorting for bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Independent analyses across technologies demonstrated that nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways were activated, and specific cytokine and chemokine receptors were up-regulated in CSF memory B cells. Further, SMAD/TGF-β1 signaling was down-regulated in CSF plasmablasts/plasma cells. Clonally expanded, somatically hypermutated IgM+ and IgG1+ CSF B cells were associated with inflammation, blood–brain barrier breakdown, and intrathecal Ig synthesis. While we identified memory B cells and plasmablast/plasma cells with highly similar Ig heavy-chain sequences across MS subjects, similarities were also identified with ONDs and HCs. No viral transcripts, including from Epstein–Barr virus, were detected. Our findings support the hypothesis that in MS, CSF B cells are driven to an inflammatory and clonally expanded memory and plasmablast/plasma cell phenotype.
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43
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Abstract
The etiology and pathogenesis of MS is likely to involve multiple factors interacting with each other, and the role of infectious and viral agents is still under debate, however a consistent amount of studies suggests that some viruses are associated with the disease. The strongest documentation has come from the detection of viral nucleic acid or antigen or of an anti-viral antibody response in MS patients. A further step for the study of the mechanism viruses might be involved in can be made using in vitro and in vivo models. While in vitro models, based on glial and neural cell lines from various sources are widely used, in vivo animal models present challenges. Indeed neurotropic animal viruses are currently used to study demyelination in well-established models, but animal models of demyelination by human virus infection have only recently been developed, using animal gammaherpesviruses closely related to Epstein Barr virus (EBV), or using marmosets expressing the specific viral receptor for Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). The present review will illustrate the main potential mechanisms of MS pathogenesis possibly associated with viral infections and viruses currently used to study demyelination in animal models. Then the viruses most strongly linked with MS will be discussed, in the perspective that more than one virus might have a role, with varying degrees of interaction, contributing to MS heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Donati
- Neurologia e Neurofisiologia Clinica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese I 53100 Siena, Italy
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44
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Bar-Or A, Pender MP, Khanna R, Steinman L, Hartung HP, Maniar T, Croze E, Aftab BT, Giovannoni G, Joshi MA. Epstein-Barr Virus in Multiple Sclerosis: Theory and Emerging Immunotherapies. Trends Mol Med 2019; 26:296-310. [PMID: 31862243 PMCID: PMC7106557 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
New treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) focused on B cells have created an atmosphere of excitement in the MS community. B cells are now known to play a major role in disease, demonstrated by the highly impactful effect of a B cell-depleting antibody on controlling MS. The idea that a virus may play a role in the development of MS has a long history and is supported mostly by studies demonstrating a link between B cell-tropic Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and disease onset. Efforts to develop antiviral strategies for treating MS are underway. Although gaps remain in our understanding of the etiology of MS, the role, if any, of viruses in propagating pathogenic immune responses deserves attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Bar-Or
- Center for Neuroinflammation and Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael P Pender
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rajiv Khanna
- Centre for Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development, Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lawrence Steinman
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Beckman Center for Molecular Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tap Maniar
- Clinical Development, Torque Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ed Croze
- IRIS-Bay, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Blake T Aftab
- Preclinical Science and Translational Medicine, Atara Biotherapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University London, Barts and the London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Manher A Joshi
- Medical Affairs, Atara Biotherapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
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45
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Epstein-Barr Virus-Specific CD8 T Cells Selectively Infiltrate the Brain in Multiple Sclerosis and Interact Locally with Virus-Infected Cells: Clue for a Virus-Driven Immunopathological Mechanism. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00980-19. [PMID: 31578295 PMCID: PMC6880158 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00980-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
EBV establishes a lifelong and asymptomatic infection in most individuals and more rarely causes infectious mononucleosis and malignancies, like lymphomas. The virus is also strongly associated with MS, a chronic neuroinflammatory disease with unknown etiology. Infectious mononucleosis increases the risk of developing MS, and immune reactivity toward EBV is higher in persons with MS, indicating inadequate control of the virus. Previous studies have suggested that persistent EBV infection in the CNS stimulates an immunopathological response, causing bystander neural cell damage. To verify this, we need to identify the immune culprits responsible for the detrimental antiviral response in the CNS. In this study, we analyzed postmortem brains donated by persons with MS and show that CD8 cytotoxic T cells recognizing EBV enter the brain and interact locally with the virus-infected cells. This antiviral CD8 T cell-mediated immune response likely contributes to MS pathology. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus strongly associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). However, the mechanisms linking EBV infection to MS pathology are uncertain. Neuropathological and immunological studies suggest that a persistent EBV infection in the CNS can stimulate a CD8 T-cell response aimed at clearing the virus but inadvertently causing CNS injury. Inasmuch as in situ demonstration of EBV-specific CD8 T cells and their effector function is missing, we searched for EBV-specific CD8 T cells in MS brain tissue using the pentamer technique. Postmortem brain samples from 12 donors with progressive MS and known HLA class I genotype were analyzed. Brain sections were stained with HLA-matched pentamers coupled with immunogenic peptides from EBV-encoded proteins, control virus (cytomegalovirus and influenza A virus) proteins, and myelin basic protein. CD8 T cells recognizing proteins expressed in the latent and lytic phases of the EBV life cycle were visualized in white matter lesions and/or meninges of 11/12 MS donors. The fraction (median value) of CD8 T cells recognizing individual EBV epitopes ranged from 0.5 to 2.5% of CNS-infiltrating CD8 T cells. Cytomegalovirus-specific CD8 T cells were detected at a lower frequency (≤0.3%) in brain sections from 4/12 MS donors. CNS-infiltrating EBV-specific CD8 T cells were CD107a positive, suggesting a cytotoxic phenotype, and stuck to EBV-infected cells. Together with local EBV dysregulation, selective enrichment of EBV-specific CD8 T cells in the MS brain supports the notion that skewed immune responses toward EBV contribute to inflammation causing CNS injury. IMPORTANCE EBV establishes a lifelong and asymptomatic infection in most individuals and more rarely causes infectious mononucleosis and malignancies, like lymphomas. The virus is also strongly associated with MS, a chronic neuroinflammatory disease with unknown etiology. Infectious mononucleosis increases the risk of developing MS, and immune reactivity toward EBV is higher in persons with MS, indicating inadequate control of the virus. Previous studies have suggested that persistent EBV infection in the CNS stimulates an immunopathological response, causing bystander neural cell damage. To verify this, we need to identify the immune culprits responsible for the detrimental antiviral response in the CNS. In this study, we analyzed postmortem brains donated by persons with MS and show that CD8 cytotoxic T cells recognizing EBV enter the brain and interact locally with the virus-infected cells. This antiviral CD8 T cell-mediated immune response likely contributes to MS pathology.
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Molecular mimicry, genetic homology, and gene sharing proteomic "molecular fingerprints" using an EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)-derived microarray as a potential diagnostic method in autoimmune disease. Immunol Res 2019; 66:686-695. [PMID: 30552620 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-018-9045-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus) and other human DNA viruses are associated with autoimmune syndromes in epidemiologic studies. In this work, immunoglobulin G response to EBV-encoded proteins which share regions with human immune response proteins from the human host including ZEBRA (BZLF-1 encoded protein), BALF-2 recombinase expressed primarily during the viral lytic replication cycle, and EBNA-1 (Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen) expressed during the viral latency cycle respectively were characterized using a laser-printed micro-array ( PEPperprint.com ). IgG response to conserved "A/T hooks" in EBV-encoded proteins such as EBNA-1 and the BALF-2 recombinase related to host DNA-binding proteins including RAG-1 recombinase and histones, and EBV-encoded virokines such as the IL-10 homologue BCRF-1 suggest further directions for clinical research. The author suggests that proteomic "molecular fingerprints" of the immune response to viral proteins shared with human immune response genes are potentially useful in early diagnosis and monitoring of autoantibody production and response to therapy in EBV-related autoimmune syndromes.
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Hussein HM, Rahal EA. The role of viral infections in the development of autoimmune diseases. Crit Rev Microbiol 2019; 45:394-412. [PMID: 31145640 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2019.1614904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The exact aetiology of most autoimmune diseases remains unknown, nonetheless, several factors contributing to the induction or exacerbation of autoimmune reactions have been suggested. These include the genetic profile and lifestyle of the affected individual in addition to environmental triggers such as bacterial, parasitic, fungal and viral infections. Infections caused by viruses usually trigger a potent immune response that is necessary for the containment of the infection; however, in some cases, a failure in the regulation of this immune response may lead to harmful immune reactions directed against the host's antigens. The autoimmune attack can be carried out by different arms and components of the immune system and through different possible mechanisms including molecular mimicry, bystander activation, and epitope spreading among others. In this review, we examine the data available for the involvement of viral infections in triggering or exacerbating autoimmune diseases in addition to discussing the mechanisms by which these viral infections and the immune pathways they trigger possibly contribute to the development of autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi M Hussein
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.,Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon
| | - Elias A Rahal
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.,Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR), American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon
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't Hart BA. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the common marmoset: a translationally relevant model for the cause and course of multiple sclerosis. Primate Biol 2019; 6:17-58. [PMID: 32110715 PMCID: PMC7041540 DOI: 10.5194/pb-6-17-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging Western societies are facing an increasing prevalence of chronic
autoimmune-mediated inflammatory disorders (AIMIDs) for which treatments that are safe and effective are scarce. One of the
main reasons for this situation is the lack of animal models, which accurately replicate
clinical and pathological aspects of the human diseases. One important AIMID is the
neuroinflammatory disease multiple sclerosis (MS), for which the mouse experimental
autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model has been frequently used in preclinical
research. Despite some successes, there is a long list of experimental treatments that
have failed to reproduce promising effects observed in murine EAE models when they were
tested in the clinic. This frustrating situation indicates a wide validity gap between
mouse EAE and MS. This monography describes the development of an EAE model in nonhuman
primates, which may help to bridge the gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert A 't Hart
- Department of Immunobiology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, the Netherlands.,Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
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Lifestyle and Environmental Factors in Multiple Sclerosis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2019; 9:cshperspect.a028944. [PMID: 29735578 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a028944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Lifestyle and environmental factors potently influence the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), because genetic predisposition only explains a fraction of the risk increase. There is strong evidence for associations of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, smoking, sun exposure/vitamin D, and adolescent obesity to risk of MS. There is also circumstantial evidence on organic solvents and shift work, all associate with greater risk, although certain factors like nicotine, alcohol, and a high coffee consumption associate with a reduced risk. Certain factors, smoking, EBV infection, and obesity interact with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) risk genes, arguing for a pathogenic pathway involving adaptive immunity. There is a potential for prevention, in particular for people at greater risk such as relatives of individuals with MS. All of the described factors for MS may influence adaptive and/or innate immunity, as has been argued for MS risk gene variants.
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Gregson A, Thompson K, Tsirka SE, Selwood DL. Emerging small-molecule treatments for multiple sclerosis: focus on B cells. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 30863536 PMCID: PMC6402079 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.16495.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major cause of disability in young adults. Following an unknown trigger (or triggers), the immune system attacks the myelin sheath surrounding axons, leading to progressive nerve cell death. Antibodies and small-molecule drugs directed against B cells have demonstrated good efficacy in slowing progression of the disease. This review focusses on small-molecule drugs that can affect B-cell biology and may have utility in disease management. The risk genes for MS are examined from the drug target perspective. Existing small-molecule therapies for MS with B-cell actions together with new drugs in development are described. The potential for experimental molecules with B-cell effects is also considered. Small molecules can have diverse actions on B cells and be cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. The current B cell-directed therapies often kill B-cell subsets, which can be effective but lead to side effects and toxicity. A deeper understanding of B-cell biology and the effect on MS disease should lead to new drugs with better selectivity, efficacy, and an improved safety profile. Small-molecule drugs, once the patent term has expired, provide a uniquely sustainable form of healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Gregson
- The Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Kaitlyn Thompson
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, 11794, USA
| | - Stella E Tsirka
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, 11794, USA
| | - David L Selwood
- The Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
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