The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) involves both genetic and environmental factors. Genetically, the strongest link is with HLA DRB1*1501, but the environmental trigger, probably a virus, remains uncertain. This investigation scans a panel of proteins from encephalitogenic viruses for peptides homologous to the primary autoantigen from myelin basic protein (MBP), then evaluates candidate peptides against a motif required for T cell cross-reactivity and compares viral prevalence patterns to epidemiological characteristics of MS. The only peptide meeting criteria for cross-reactivity with MBP was one from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a zoonotic agent. In contrast to current candidates such as Epstein-Barr virus, the distribution of LCMV is consistent with epidemiological features of MS, including concentration in the temperate zone, higher prevalence farther from the equator, and increased prevalence in proximity to regions of peak MS incidence, while lack of person-to-person transmission is consistent with low MS concordance across monozygotic twins. Further, LCMV blocks induction of type I interferon (IFN). Hypothetically this would dysregulate immune processes in favor of proinflammatory pathways as well as upregulating HLA class II and providing more binding sites for autoantigen. The combination of molecular mimicry with virally-induced immune dysregulation has the potential to explain aspects of autoimmunity not addressed by either mechanism alone.
Keywords: DRB1*1501; Immune regulation; Interferon; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV); Molecular mimicry; Multiple sclerosis.
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