Preprint Molecular Mimicry Between Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Herpesvirus-6 Proteins and Central Nervous System Proteins..., 2025, Almulla, Maes et al

BUT. A key part of our overall analysis was that every different autoimmune disease exploits a different 'Achilles heel' in the regulatory 'software'. Some use bypass one way, some another. There are even autoimmune conditions that really are driven by T cell surveillance defects (AIR gene mutations).

And how multiple sclerosis works remains the biggest puzzle. And the role of EBV in all of these things is still not fully understood. Maybe in MS molecular mimicry really does work - but it must work for one specific antigen for a very specific reason. Until we grasp that reason we do not have a helpful theory.

 

The basic message of the 1999 paper was that about fifty diseases might all be cured by cleaning out enough antibody-producing B clones to reset the system to negative feedback for self rather than positive. In practice a few cures occur, in things like ITP. Quite often lethal forms of autoimmune disease like lupus and Wegener's (and vasculitic RA) can be converted to mild manageable versions. Most of the time we end up with a practical way of keeping people very well but getting the system to 'forget' positive feedback proves hard, presumably because we do not get rid of all antibody. It is disappointing to see so little progress on this in 25 years, not just in practical therapeutic terms but in terms of understanding further details of the biology. Most immunologists never seem to have grasped the crucial systems dynamics and the old molecular mimicry theory is still paraded - the 'walking dead' theory.

Sadly Jo is not well and we haven't quite got ME/CFS sussed. But I am beginning to think antibody may be important after all. The question is what new hidden Achilles heel is being exploited if so?
I think it may become clear within a year or two.

 

I want a cure, so how can we start a new school of thought?

I'm sorry to hear Jo isn't well. I'm sure we all appreciate all her hard work for us and hope she feels better soon.