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
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 21, 2022
Accepted:
July 21,
2022
Received:
July 20,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
