Svetlana P Eckert, Gabriela Funez-DePagnier, Mark D Hicar, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: The link between the risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been confirmed. However, the mechanisms by which EBV influences MS remain unclear, likely due to the complex interplay among the EBV subtype, the host's immune response, and viral and environmental exposures.
Areas covered: In this review, we explore some of those complexities and the evidence on how EBV may contribute, at the molecular level, to MS pathogenesis across the spectrum of MS disease, both relapsing-remitting and progressive. For this review, we searched PubMed and Medline entries using a combination of terms related to 'Epstein-Barr Virus,' 'Multiple Sclerosis,' 'disease-modifying therapies,' and 'EBV activity.' Those search results were then used to address how EBV relates to MS pathophysiology and how the effects of MS risk factors and the efficacy of disease-modifying therapies may be explained by their effects on EBV.
Expert opinion: We posit that addressing EBV infection and viral replication is vital to the discovery of a cure for MS. Given that multiple genetic factors are involved, targeting EBV within cellular reservoirs and suppressing EBV protein expression is likely to provide the greatest benefit in preventing MS disease activity, progression, and immune-mediated neurodegeneration.
期刊介绍:
Expert Review of Clinical Immunology (ISSN 1744-666X) provides expert analysis and commentary regarding the performance of new therapeutic and diagnostic modalities in clinical immunology. Members of the International Editorial Advisory Panel of Expert Review of Clinical Immunology are the forefront of their area of expertise. This panel works with our dedicated editorial team to identify the most important and topical review themes and the corresponding expert(s) most appropriate to provide commentary and analysis. All articles are subject to rigorous peer-review, and the finished reviews provide an essential contribution to decision-making in clinical immunology.
Articles focus on the following key areas:
• Therapeutic overviews of specific immunologic disorders highlighting optimal therapy and prospects for new medicines
• Performance and benefits of newly approved therapeutic agents
• New diagnostic approaches
• Screening and patient stratification
• Pharmacoeconomic studies
• New therapeutic indications for existing therapies
• Adverse effects, occurrence and reduction
• Prospects for medicines in late-stage trials approaching regulatory approval
• Novel treatment strategies
• Epidemiological studies
• Commentary and comparison of treatment guidelines
Topics include infection and immunity, inflammation, host defense mechanisms, congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, anaphylaxis and allergy, systemic immune diseases, organ-specific inflammatory diseases, transplantation immunology, endocrinology and diabetes, cancer immunology, neuroimmunology and hematological diseases.