Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and it causes severe disability at a young age. Clinical studies have shown that the disease can be controlled by affecting the peripheral immune cells, particularly B lymphocytes. The most important risk factor for MS is Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection, especially in the form of mononucleosis, which is a disease mainly manifesting in the lymphatic tissues of the body. This study will for the first time perform a comprehensive analysis of lymph node samples from MS patients and controls. We will thus study mechanisms sustaining MS, especially regulation of B cells and the effect of EBV infection. We will utilize a new, single cell protein staining -based method for imaging the functional units of the lymph node, and modern multiomic approaches for deciphering the alterations in function.

2020

2024