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EBV Reactivation May Prime the Immune System Before MS Relapse
Key Takeaways
- A Nature Medicine paper published online 16 September 2026 reports increased expression of EBV reactivation genes in B cells alongside increased expression of MS risk genes targeted by the EBV protein EBNA-2.
- These signals reportedly precede multiple sclerosis relapse, suggesting the peripheral immune system is primed before symptoms flare.
- B cells are a major reservoir for latent EBV and a central player in MS pathology, and B cell–depleting therapies are among the most effective MS treatments.
- EBNA-2 acts as a viral regulator of host gene expression, offering a possible molecular link between EBV activity and inherited MS risk genes.
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DT Editorial Team··via nature.com