Epstein-Barr virus and neuroinflammation

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is prevalent in humans and causes a silent infection in most individuals. However, late acquisition of EBV can result in a benign lymphoproliferative disease known as infectious mononucleosis (IM). By exploiting and manipulating the host cellular processes, EBV can escape and dysregulate the peripheral immune system. Aberrant immune response to EBV is a hallmark of several EBV-associated pathologies. Due to the existence of a finely regulated CNS-periphery axis, a balanced immune system is inherent to the well-being of the CNS. EBV-induced peripheral immune alterations can extend beyond the periphery and disrupt CNS homeostasis. In this chapter, we discuss the biology of EBV, how the virus disrupts and interferes with the immune system and its implications on the CNS, and finally how the virus contributes to the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The ultimate aim is to translate basic research findings into clinical applications and develop effective therapeutics for controlling EBV and ideally a vaccine to prevent the infection in the first place.