In a study published in the journal Science Advances, a team of Swedish researchers found evidence for how the common herpes virus, i.e., Epstein-Barr, can trigger multiple sclerosis or drive the progression of the neurological disease. The Epstein-Barr virus is one of the most commonly found viruses in humans.

It infects most people early in life and then remains in the body, usually without causing symptoms. In the study, researchers found that in some individuals, antibodies produced against the virus mistakenly attacked a protein in the brain and spinal cord.

For the study, the researchers analyzed blood samples from more than 700 patients with MS and 700 healthy individuals. The findings of the study showed that antibodies that bind to a certain protein in the Epstein-Barr virus, EBNA1, can also bind to a similar protein in the brain and spinal cord called CRYAB, whose role is to prevent protein aggregation during conditions of cellular stress such as inflammation.

These misdirected, cross-reactive antibodies have the potential to harm the neurological system and produce significant symptoms in MS patients, such as issues with balance, movement, and tiredness.

The antibodies were found in around 23% of MS patients and 7% of controls. Additionally, the researchers also discovered that there is likely to be comparable cross-reactivity among immune system T cells. 

(Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-05-common-virus-multiple-sclerosis.html )