Stockholm – Multiple sclerosis (MS) is probably the result of molecular mimicry in which the immune system targets the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but also accidentally attacks brain cells, triggering a chronic autoimmune reaction. According to a study in Cell (2026; DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.12.032) not only antibody-producing B cells, but also CD4 cells of the cellular immune defense.
Only people who have previously been infected with EBV get MS. However, of the 95% of all people who become infected, mostly in adolescence, very few develop MS. An infection with EBV alone is therefore not enough to trigger the autoimmune disease.
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date:2026-02-12 16:41:00
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