EBV specific killer cells in early MS

A new study looking into the immune response to EBV in people with MS has shown that a group of white blood cells responsible for killing EBV, the so called CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes or CTLs, are increased in theblood of people with early MS as compared to controls and other patients. Importantly these cells were shown to be increased in the spinal fluid of subjects with MS compared to subjects with other diseases. This data further strengthens the association between EBV and MS, in particular early disease.

Jaquiéry E, et al. Intrathecal immune responses to EBV in early MS. Eur J Immunol. 2009 Dec 16;40(3):878-887. [Click here]