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. 2022 Oct:66:104069.
doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104069. Epub 2022 Jul 22.

EBV as the 'gluten of MS' hypothesis: Bypassing autoimmunity

Francesca Aloisi  1 , Caterina Veroni  2 , Barbara Serafini  2
Affiliations

EBV as the 'gluten of MS' hypothesis: Bypassing autoimmunity

Francesca Aloisi et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

The EBV as the 'gluten of MS' hypothesis discussed by Drosu et al. in a recent Editorial envisages the existence of similar mechanisms leading to celiac disease and multiple sclerosis, such as induction of immunity against an ubiquitous exogenous antigen - gluten and EBV, respectively - and subsequent development of autoimmunity that is maintained by persistence of the initial trigger. While this hypothesis provides the rationale for treating MS with antivirals to lower EBV load, it can be misleading when trying to translate concepts of T cell-B cell interaction and autoimmunity development in celiac disease to multiple sclerosis. Here, we propose that EBV might act as the driver of multiple sclerosis without involving autoimmunity.

Keywords: Celiac disease; Epstein-barr virus; Exogenous antigens; Immunopathogenesis; Multiple sclerosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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