Comparison of Epstein Barr virus antibodies and Tcell cytokines production in patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy individuals

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune disease of central nervous system with destruction of myelin sheath mediated by auto reactive CD4+ T Lymphocytes. Because of the possible role of Epstein-Barr virus in etiology of MS and T cells immune response, the aim of this study was to evaluate anti-Epstein Barr virus antibodies as a marker of reactivity and production of TH1 and TH2 cytokines in MS patients and healthy individuals. Blood samples were taken from 68 MS patients at different stages of diseases and 20 apparently healthy individuals and plasma levels of anti- EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) and viral capsid antigen (VCA) antibodies determined and concentrations of IFN- [1], IL-12 and IL-4 in culture supernatants of PHA-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were measured by ELISA. The mean levels of anti EBNA-1 and VCAantibodies were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p=0.04, p=0.001 respectively). Concentrations of IFN- [1], IL-4 & IL-12 were also significantly higher in MS patients than healthy individuals (p=0.001, p=0.005, p=0.002, respectively). Significant correlation was found between anti EBNA-1 and VCAantibodies and IL-12 production (p =0.02, r=0.27& p=0.04, r=0.25, respectively); whereas no significant correlation was found between these antibodies and production of IFN- [1] or IL-4. Due to elevated level of anti-EBV antibodies and T cell Cytokines in MS patients Rather than healthy individuals, Epstein Barr virus may play role in etiology of MS disease through activation of T cells immune response.