Epstein–Barr virus

Posted on Multiple Sclerosis

Pioneering a Vaccine to Prevent Multiple Sclerosis and Other EBV-Related Diseases

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In a groundbreaking step toward combating serious illnesses linked to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a spin-off from Helmholtz Munich called EBViously officially launched on 11 November 2024. The company is on a mission to develop a vaccine that could prevent a wide range of diseases, including infectious mononucleosis, certain cancers, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and, most notably, multiple sclerosis (MS)—a devastating autoimmune disease of the nervous system.

Why Target EBV?

Epstein-Barr virus, part of the herpes virus family, is one of the most common viruses in the world, with an estimated 90% of the global population infected. While infections during early childhood are usually mild, later infections can lead to mononucleosis (“mono”) and set the stage for long-term complications like ME/CFS and MS.

Recent research has identified EBV as the leading risk factor for MS. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the nervous system, causing symptoms like fatigue, vision problems, and mobility issues. By preventing EBV infections, EBViously’s vaccine has the potential to dramatically reduce the risk of developing MS.

An Innovative Vaccine

EBViously’s vaccine candidate, EBV-001, is built on cutting-edge technology using virus-like particles (VLPs). These particles mimic the Epstein-Barr virus’s structure but contain no viral genetic material, making them non-infectious. This design “tricks” the immune system into launching a defense against EBV without exposing the body to the actual virus.

Preclinical studies in animal models have shown highly promising results, with the vaccine successfully triggering targeted immune responses. According to Prof. Wolfgang Hammerschmidt of Helmholtz Munich, “Our approach pulls the virus’s teeth while preserving its protein combinations, ensuring the immune system is well-prepared to combat EBV.”

Hope for MS and Beyond

The vaccine’s benefits could go far beyond protecting against mono. By stopping EBV infections in their tracks, the vaccine could also help prevent secondary diseases like ME/CFS, reduce the risk of EBV-associated cancers (including lymphomas), and even protect transplant patients from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Most significantly, it could lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, offering hope to millions who live with or are at risk of this chronic condition.

Fast-Tracking Clinical Trials

With approximately 12 million euros in funding so far, including support from the Helmholtz Validation Fund and DZIF, EBViously is pushing to bring its vaccine to clinical trials as quickly as possible. The vaccine is being developed and manufactured under stringent Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards in collaboration with prestigious partners like Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich and TUM University Hospital.

Dr. Sebastian Goy, CEO of EBViously, emphasizes the urgency of the mission: “The founding of EBViously is a major step toward accelerating the clinical development of EBV-001. We are optimistic that this vaccine will protect millions worldwide from serious diseases caused by EBV, including multiple sclerosis.”

A Vision for the Future

With plans to secure additional investors, EBViously is racing toward the goal of making EBV-001 a reality. If successful, this vaccine could not only transform the way we think about MS prevention but also mark a new era in the fight against EBV-related diseases.

For those at risk of MS and other debilitating conditions, EBViously represents more than a vaccine—it’s a symbol of hope for a healthier, brighter future.

Posted on Multiple Sclerosis

Cutting early life exposure to parental smoking may lower Multiple Sclerosis risk in genetically prone

Interplay of genes + environment alter key aspects of brain structure at young age, boosting susceptibility
The interplay of genes + environment alters key aspects of brain structure at a young age, boosting susceptibility.

Reducing early exposure to parental smoking may decrease the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) in individuals who are genetically predisposed to the disease, according to research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

Research indicates that the interaction between genetic factors and environmental influences, such as smoking, changes essential aspects of brain structure during early childhood. This alteration may contribute to the development of the disease, suggesting there might be a critical window of opportunity to prevent it.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Researchers explain that it is unclear whether it results from early inflammatory brain damage or a latent neurodegenerative process accompanied by inflammation.

While the exact onset of the disease process remains unclear, evidence of brain volume loss and diminished cognitive performance before the appearance of clinical signs and symptoms indicates that these changes may occur before a formal diagnosis.

Studies on migration show that early life environmental factors have a key role, but they add that exactly how these interact isn’t yet known.

The researchers used data from the population-based Dutch Generation R study to shed more light on how and when the interplay of environmental and genetic risk factors might affect brain volume and, thus, facilitate future MS development.

Participants in this study had good-quality data on genotype and/or the known environmental risk factors of Epstein Barr virus infection, vitamin D levels, weight (BMI), parental tobacco exposure, and outdoor activity at the age of 5, plus high-quality brain scan images at the ages of 9 and 13.

In all, the researchers drew on imaging data showing brain volume for 5350 participants and brain microstructure for 5649 participants, none of whom had been diagnosed with MS. 

Polygenic risk scores derived from DNA samples were used to assess the genetic risk of developing MS, with the genetic variant rs10191329 used as a marker of future MS severity.

In all, 642 children tested positive for Epstein-Barr virus infection, and 405 had been exposed to household parental smoking.

The final analysis was based on genetic data from 2817 participants and brain volume and microstructure imaging data from 2970 participants.

This showed an interplay between genetic and environmental risk factors for MS associated with certain aspects of brain structure during childhood and early teens.

Specifically, higher genetic risk for MS was associated with a strong immune response to Epstein-Barr virus infection, and it was also associated with increased susceptibility to the negative effects of household parental smoking on brain development.

Higher MS genetic risk and household parental smoking interacted and were associated with lower total brain volume and grey matter volume, including thalamic volume. 

No associations were observed for carriers of the rs10191229 genetic valiant.

This is an observational study, so no firm conclusions about cause and effect can be drawn.

The researchers explain the findings by pointing out that higher Epstein-Barr virus antibodies may be caused by defective immune system control of this virus due to genetic risk for MS, possibly facilitating the development of the disease later in life.

And the prevailing theory is that tobacco smoke produces chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, thereby increasing the inflammatory activity of the immune system, they add.

“Our results importantly add another potential mechanism of tobacco smoke exposure in individuals with higher polygenic MS risk. The increased brain vulnerability to the effects of parental smoking may increase the exposure of [central nervous system] antigens to the developing immune system, increasing the risk of a brain-specific autoimmune disease,” they suggest.

“How this increased vulnerability influences other MS risk factors may open a window for prevention of MS by limiting childhood exposure to household smoking or other toxic exposures associated with MS (i.e., household chemicals), and should be a focus for further studies” they conclude.

Posted on Multiple Sclerosis

The Role of Epstein-Barr Virus in Multiple Sclerosis

This week’s “Ask an MS Expert” will cover the most recent evidence regarding the role of the Epstein-Barr virus in triggering multiple sclerosis. Dr. Bruce Bebo, the executive vice president of research programs at the National MS Society, and host Jon Strum will discuss the implications of this information for the MS community and share the Society’s plans for utilizing this new knowledge.

Posted on Multiple Sclerosis

Epstein-Barr Virus and brain cross-reactivity: a mechanism for Multiple Sclerosis

The common virus’ link with Multiple Sclerosis is likely to be caused by greater amounts of immune system ‘misdirection’ than previously thought
The common virus’ link with Multiple Sclerosis is likely to be caused by greater amounts of immune system ‘misdirection’ than previously thought.

The role that Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) plays in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be caused a higher level of cross-reactivity, where the body’s immune system binds to the wrong target, than previously thought.

In a new study published in PLOS Pathogens, researchers looked at blood samples from people with multiple sclerosis, healthy people infected with EBV and people recovering from glandular fever caused by recent EBV infection. The study investigated how the immune system deals with EBV infection as part of worldwide efforts to understand how this common virus can lead to the development of multiple sclerosis, following 20 years of mounting evidence showing a link between the two.

While previous studies have shown that antibody responses to one EBV protein — EBNA1 — also recognise a small number of central nervous system proteins, this study found that T-cells, another important part of the immune system that targets viral proteins, can also recognise brain proteins.

A second important finding was that these cross-reactive T-cells can be found in people with MS and those without the disease. This suggests that differences in how these immune cells function may explain why some people get MS after EBV infection.

Dr Graham Taylor, associate professor at the University of Birmingham and one of the corresponding authors of the study, said:

“The discovery of the link between Epstein-Barr Virus and Multiple Sclerosis has huge implications for our understanding of autoimmune disease, but we are still beginning to reveal the mechanisms involved. Our latest study shows that following Epstein-Barr virus infection, there is a great deal more immune system misdirection, or cross-reactivity than previously thought.” 

“Our study has two main implications. First, the findings give greater weight to the idea that the link between EBV and multiple sclerosis is not due to uncontrolled virus infection in the body. Second, we have shown that the human immune system cross-recognises a much broader array of EBV and central nervous system proteins than previously thought and that different cross-reactivity patterns exist.

“Knowing this will help identify which proteins are important in MS and may provide targets for future personalised therapies.”

T Cells are involved.

During blood testing, the team also found evidence that cross-reactive T cells targeting Epstein-Barr virus and central nervous system proteins are present in many healthy individuals.

Dr Olivia Thomas from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and joint corresponding author of the paper said:

“Our detection of cross-reactive T-cells in healthy individuals suggests that these cells’ ability to access the brain is important in MS.

“Although our work shows the relationship between EBV and MS is now more complex than ever, it is important to know how far this cross-reactivity extends to fully understand the link between them.”