Mameli et al. Activation of MSRV-Type Endogenous Retroviruses during Infectious Mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr Virus Latency: The Missing Link with Multiple Sclerosis? PLoS One. 2013 Nov 13;8(11):e78474.
Background: The aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unclear. The immuno-pathogenic phenomena leading to neurodegeneration are thought to be triggered by environmental (viral?) factors operating on predisposing genetic backgrounds. Among the proposed co-factors are the Epstein Barr virus (EBV), and the potentially neuropathogenic HERV-W/MSRV/Syncytin-1 endogenous retroviruses. The ascertained links between EBV and MS are history of late primary infection, possibly leading to infectious mononucleosis (IM), and high titres of pre-onset IgG against EBV nuclear antigens (anti-EBNA IgG). During MS, there is no evidence of MS-specific EBV expression, while a continuous expression of HERV-Ws occurs, paralleling disease behaviour. We found repeatedly extracellular HERV-W/MSRV and MSRV-specific mRNA sequences in MS patients (in blood, spinal fluid, and brain samples), and MRSV presence/load strikingly paralleled MS stages and active/remission phases.
Expression and Activation by Epstein Barr Virus of Human Endogenous Retroviruses-W in Blood Cells and Astrocytes: Inference for Multiple Sclerosis Giuseppe Mameli, Luciana Poddighe, Alessandra Mei, Elena Uleri, Stefano Sotgiu, Caterina Serra, Roberto Manetti, Antonina DoleiResearch Article | published 27 Sep 2012 | PLOS ONE10.1371/journal.pone.0044991
Any studies on targeting latent EBV to reduce EBNA-1 or somehow converting to lytic phase and treat with gancyclovir? Will raltegravir effect latent virus?
"The MSRV element (MS-associated retrovirus) is the first known member of the HERV-W family [14]; it has been detected and purified from cells of MS patients, as free virus-like particles, carrying RT activity and an RNA genome with terminal repeats, gag, pol and env regions." Does anyone know what "free virus-like particles" are? I assume these are incompletely assembled viruses that are unable to replicate. But the authors state that the virus is detected in body fluids (blood, csf) and MS patients with active disease have increased viral load. So are these intact viral particles as in other viral infections that can infect PBMCs?
They look like virus but you have not done any extra tests to show they are indeed a virus
Anti-ERV as anti-Multiple Sclerosis… Is this a good idea?http://scienceblogs.com/erv/2013/11/13/anti-erv-as-anti-multiple-sclerosis-is-this-a-good-idea/
It is perhaps a bit of a conflict to answer this. Raltergrovir of the charcot project affects virus and has no need to kill cells.If the antibody is against HERV and antibodies kills infected cells,It could be bad news
This study just came out in PlosOne and I was wondering on the significance or any relevance if any to MS and the Charcot Project? http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0085387Deficient EBV-Specific B- and T-Cell Response in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Futher described here as well: http://cfspatientadvocate.blogspot.nl/2014/01/dr-carmen-scheibenbogen-berlin-charite.html#comment-form