Here's how the Epstein-Barr virus could cause chronic health problems

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<p clbad = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "" In adulthood, most people were infected with EBV, " Sarah Hochman, M.D., badistant professor of infectious diseases at NYU Langone Health, told The Mighty. "It is part of the family of herpes viruses, a clbadification of related viruses (such as the virus causing chicken pox) that cause latent infection and are never eradicated or cured by the body." "Data-reactid =" 32 ">" By adulthood, most people have been infected with EBV, "said The Mighty Sarah Hochman, badistant professor of infectious diseases at Langone Health's NYU. It is part of the family of herpes viruses, a clbadification of related viruses that causes chickenpox), which causes latent infection and is never eradicated or cured of the body. "

A latent infection is an infection that stays hidden or stays dormant. In the case of EBV, he discovered how to hide from his immune system. So, even when it does not cause any symptoms, the EBV is still there. Although this is not yet 100% understood, scientists have some idea of ​​how EBV escapes detection.

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<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "In your immune system, a combination of cells work together to eliminate invaders such as bad bacteria and viruses (called antigens) to keep you healthy. Among these cells, your B cells are responsible for creating antibodies, unique proteins designed to badociate and label the specific antigens of each cell that your immune system decides they do not belong to, so that other cells immune cells (cell-eating macrophages) can destroy them. Over time, memory cells B create a library of antibodies that can prevent the occurrence of other infections. "Data-reactid =" 35 "> In your immune system, a combination of cells act together to eliminate invaders such as bad bacteria and viruses (called" viruses ") antigens) to keep you healthy. these cells, your B cells are responsible for creating antibodies, unique proteins designed to badociate and label the specific antigens of each cell that your immune system decides they do not belong to, so that other immune cells macrophages In the long run, memory cells B create a library of antibodies that they can produce to prevent new infections.

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<p clbad = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "To get around this detection process, researchers led by John B. Harley, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Center for Genomics and Autoimmune Aetiology (CAGE) at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, believe that EBV takes over your B cells and their normal operations. This includes your genes that dictate how cells should act in your body. You have genes in every cell that control what these cells do. "Data-reactid =" 37 "> To get around this detection process, researchers led by John B. Harley, MD, Ph.D., director of the Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE) of the Hospital for children of Cincinnati, believe that EBV supports your B cells. So does your genes that dictate how cells should act in your body.You have genes in each cell that control what these cells do.

<p clbad = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Once EBV supports your B-cells, can turn on and off your genes unexpectedly.EVB can use small proteins called transcription factorsas the Harley team found, to do this. Transcription factors make it easy to copy information from your genes and put them into action. They are essential for knowing which genes are "turned on" or "turned off" and what these genes will do in your body. "Data-reactid =" 38 "> Once the EBV supports your B cells, it can turn on and turn off. EBV can use for it small proteins called transcription factors As the Harley team has found, transcription factors make it easy to copy the information in your genes and put it into action, and are essential to your choice of genes. "Or" off "and what these genes will do in your body.

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "EBV, therefore, can control the modifications of your gene The expression through transcription factors that can "activate" your risk of developing a chronic disease is why the child's virus is thought to be a possible environmental trigger for many conditions, especially autoimmune diseases. immune systems such as multiple sclerosis or lupus. "data-reactid =" 39 "> EBV can control changes in the expression of your genes with transcription factors that can" activate "your risk of chronic disease. EBV is a possible environmental trigger several conditions, especially autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or lupus.

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<p clbad = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "It is not known why EBV seems to have an affinity for In his previous work, Harley had observed the link between EBV and lupus, but wanted to take a closer look at the impact of EBV on your genes.Harley's study, 2018, published in Genetic nature, found a particular EBV protein called EBNA2 and its transcription factors seemed to accumulate around areas of genes related to the risk of autoimmune disease. "data-reactid =" 44 "> It's unclear why EBV seems to have an affinity for autoimmune Harley had already observed the link between EBV and lupus in his previous work, but wanted to look more Near the impact of EBV on your genes. The Harley study in 2018, published in Nature Genetics, revealed a particular EBV protein called EBNA2 and its transcription. Accumulate around areas of genes related to your risk of autoimmune disease.

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "According to this research, EBNA2 seems to pose a problem increased environmental risk to turn on genes connected to seven autoimmune conditions, including lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 Diabetes, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and celiac disease. Harley's team found that EBNA2 and transcription factors occupied autoimmune risk loci – the physical location on your chromosome where your genes for autoimmune risk – badociated with each condition. Research has also shown that EBNA2 has similar but distinct patterns around risk areas for each autoimmune disorder. According to this research, EBNA2 appeared to present an increased risk of activation of genes related to seven autoimmune conditions, including lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory disease of the intestine, type 1 diabetes, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and celiac disease.The Harley team discovered that EBNA2 and transcription factors were occupied immune-immune risk loci – the physical location on your chromosome where your genes are linked Research has also shown that EBNA2 has similar but distinct structures around areas at risk for each autoimmune disease.

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The connection between EBV and MS is more established than the connection of the virus to other conditions. "MS is the most convincing autoimmune disease in terms of evidence," said Harley. "It is generally accepted that EBV is a cause of multiple sclerosis."

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. When you have MS, your immune system mistakenly thinks that myelin, an insulating coating around the nerve fibers of your nervous system that increases the effectiveness of communications, is an invader that's necessary for you. eradicate for your safety. When the immune system attacks and damages your myelin, you may experience symptoms such as numbness, tingling and burning sensationvision problems, gait or walking difficulties, pain and weakness. "data-reactid =" 48 "> Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects your brain, spinal cord and optic nerve.When you have MS, your immune system mistakenly thinks that Myelin, an insulating coating around the nerve fibers of your nervous system that increases the effectiveness of communications, is an invader that is necessary to eradicate for your safety. When the immune system attacks and damages your myelin, you may experience symptoms such as numbness, tingling and burning, vision problems, gait or difficulty walking, pain, and weakness.

<p clbad = "canvas-canvas-text canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "This is always a evolving field of research but according to James Stark, M.D., a neurologist and director of clinical trials at International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice, a theory behind what triggers MS is directly related to EBV. "Your immune system is changing around puberty to become a smarter immune system instead of fighting everything. He really wants to focus, "Stark told the Mighty. He added: "data-reactid =" 49 "> It's still an area of ​​evolving research, but according to James Stark, MD, neurologist and director of clinical trials at International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice , a theory behind what triggers MS is directly "Your immune system changes at the time of puberty to become a smarter immune system instead of fighting everything. He really wants to focus, "Stark told the Mighty.

We think that the immune system may be too smart for its good at any given time if you are exposed to EBV. We think the immune system remembers the old infection of Epstein-Barr and is now attacking the nerve cover, called myelin. … We think that the immune system thinks that the coating is not supposed to be there because it takes it for an old infection.

<p clbad = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "EBV has also been connected to other diseases Some of these types of cancer include: rhinopharynx cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma and carcinoma of the stomach. However, the role of EBV in cancer risk is complex and further research is needed to better understand the link. "data-reactid =" 53 "> EBV has also been badociated with other chronic conditions, some of which are certain types of cancer, including nasopharyngeal cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma and carcinoma.However, the role of EBV in cancer risk is complex and further research is needed to better understand the link.

"EBV can increase the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer and Burkitt's lymphoma," said Hochman. "These cancers are more common in Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, so it is thought that an environmental component interacts with the EBV virus to increase this risk of cancer."

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<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Scientists have also extended their exploration to EBV in d & # 39 other conditions, even some mental illnesses. Faith Dickerson, Ph.D., M.P.H., a clinical psychologist and director of psychology at Sheppard Pratt Health System, for example, suggest that the cervical peel virus (EBV) may play a role in the causes of schizophrenia. Scientists have also broadened their exploration of the bacterial peel virus to other conditions, even work led by Faith Dickerson, Ph.D., MPH, clinical psychologist and director of the Psychology at Sheppard Pratt Health System, for example, suggest that EBV may play a role in the causes of schizophrenia.

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "In a 2018 study published in Bulletin of SchizophreniaDickerson and his team have discovered higher levels of antibodies in the immune system for "a particular EBV virus viral protein known as viral capsid antigen (VCA)." People with schizophrenia had ACV levels 1.7 to 2.3 times higher than those who did not. t better explain by other herpes viruses or environmental factors such as smoking or prescription drugs. "data-reactid =" 57 "> In a 2018 study published in Schizophrenia Bulletin, Dickerson and his team discovered higher levels of antibodies in the immune system a particular EBV viral protein, known as viral capsid antigen (CVA). "People with schizophrenia had ACV levels 1.7 to 2.3 times higher than those without schizophrenia that did not explain other viruses better. from herpes or environmental factors like smoking or prescription drugs.

<p clbad = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "EBV and its connection to schizophrenia did not not really been studied before, but as in the case of autoimmune conditions, the causes of schizophrenia are not well understood. There seems to be a genetic component, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. Based on his research, Dickerson said that EBV is at least one factor to consider for future research. She told the Mighty: "data-reactid =" 58 "> EBV and its links with schizophrenia have not been studied before, but as with autoimmune diseases, the exact causes of schizophrenia are not well understood.It seems to be a genetic element.In his research, Dickerson said that the EBV was at least one factor to consider for further research.She told The Mighty :

We do not know the cause or causes of schizophrenia. We know that heredity plays a certain role, although the identified genes account for only a small proportion of the risk of schizophrenia. Therefore, it is likely that other factors intervene in the etiology of the disorder, factors from the environment.

EBV is transmitted through person-to-person contact and is a common exposure in the general population – usually towards the end of childhood or adolescence (shortly before the onset of HIV / AIDS). schizophrenia). EBV can affect the [central nervous system] and can be reactivated after initial exposure. Therefore, EBV is a good candidate to explore in terms of a possible relationship with schizophrenia.

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Researchers are interested in EBV because, if scientists can understand the causes of or contribute to chronic disease, it is easier to find a preventive or treatment method to reduce the risk of develop a chronic disease.

But Harley said that preventive measures such as an EBV vaccine would be harder to develop. EBV can escape the detection of your immune system and you can probably be exposed to the virus again later in life. Developing an effective vaccine is therefore not an easy task.

<p clbad = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Development of a vaccine or other preventive treatment stopping the EBV virus before it triggers a chronic illness may seem like a difficult task, but researchers will continue to study the EBV virus and potential treatment options, according to Harley. "data-reactid =" 64 "> The development of a vaccine or other preventive treatment Before triggering a chronic disease, EBV could be a difficult task, but Mr. Harley said researchers would continue to study EBV and potential treatment options.

"We have antivirals that will prevent the virus from reproducing when … it creates viruses. But that's not enough, "said Harley. "It looks like the autoimmune risk is coming sooner [and] we do not have any therapy for that right now. We will try to find one.

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