HERVs in MS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Establishing the effects of EBV transformation on HERV expression in MS
IRAS ID
283083
Contact name
Stephen J Sawcer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord that results in significant disability for the majority of those affected. A wide range of scientific evidence suggests that infection with the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is a major risk factor, but it remains unclear quite how the virus influences the development of the disease. A number of researchers have suggested that Human Endogenous Retro Viruses (HERVs) may be involved. These HERVs are viruses that were integrated into the human genome millions of years ago and are normally harmless passengers in our DNA. However, when EBV infects a cell it is possible that some of these HERVs could become activated and thereby trigger a reaction in the immune system that results in MS.
In this study we will focus on a special type of white blood cell called a “B cell”. These B cells are part of the immune system and are the cells that are attacked by EBV. We have already collected B cells from over 700 patients with MS and have exposed some of the cells from each subject to EBV. We therefore have B cells with a without exposure to EBV. We plan to look at the expression of genes in these two situations with special attention focused on the expression of a HERV called HERV-K18.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NE/0177
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion