UC San Francisco Researchers Link Epstein-Barr Virus to Multiple Sclerosis
Researchers at UC San Francisco have identified a potential link between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting nearly one million Americans. The study, published in Nature Immunology, highlights the role of CD8+ 'killer' T cells, which are more abundant in individuals with MS. These cells, which target EBV, may trigger the immune response that damages the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, leading to MS. The research suggests that EBV, a common virus present in 95% of adults, could be a significant factor in the development of MS. This finding adds to the growing body of evidence implicating EBV in various autoimmune diseases, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. 
