Multiple sclerosis: the elevated antibody response to Epstein-Barr virus primarily targets, but is not confined to, the glycine-alanine repeat of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1

J Neuroimmunol. 2014 Jul 15;272(1-2):56-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.04.005. Epub 2014 Apr 16.

Abstract

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have elevated antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but data on the epitope-resolved specificity of these antibodies are scarce. Using a peptide microarray containing 1465 peptides representing 8 full-length EBV proteins, we identified higher (p<0.001) antibody reactivities to 39 EBV-peptides in MS patients (n=29) compared to healthy controls (n=22). Seventeen of the 39 peptides were from EBNA-1 and 13 located within the glycine-alanine repeat of EBNA-1. Further reactivities were directed against EBNA-3, EBNA-4, EBNA-6, VP26, and LMP1. Thus, antibodies against EBV in MS patients primarily target, but are not confined to, the glycine-alanine repeat of EBNA-1.

Keywords: Antibodies; Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen-1; Epstein–Barr virus; Glycine–alanine repeat; Multiple sclerosis; Peptide array.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine / immunology
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / blood
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / immunology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens / immunology*
  • Female
  • Glycine / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / blood
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • ROC Curve
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Epitopes
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens
  • Alanine
  • Glycine