Elissa Englezou

Elissa Englezou

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 July 2026 in Microorganisms
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SBStavros Bashiardes
Stavros Bashiardes
GKGeorge Krashias
George Krashias
EEElissa Englezou
Elissa Englezou
ALAnastasia Lambrianides
Anastasia Lambrianides
GPGeorge Pitsas
George Pitsas
JRJan Richter
Jan Richter
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by immune-mediated demyelination and neurodegeneration. Although the exact cause of MS remains unclear, accumulating epidemiological and immunological evidence strongly implicates Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection as a major environmental factor associated with disease development. Nearly all individuals with MS are EBV seropositive, and longitudinal studies have demonstrated that EBV infection precedes MS onset, supporting a causal relationship. EBV establishes lifelong latency in B cells and can profoundly influence host immune responses, providing several potential mechanisms through which it may contribute to autoimmunity. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of EBV biology and discuss epidemiological findings linking EBV infection with MS risk. We then examine alterations in EBV-specific immune responses observed in MS, including dysregulated humoral and cellular immunity. Particular attention is given to molecular mimicry involving the Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and central nervous system proteins, which may promote cross-reactive autoimmune responses. Finally, we discuss evidence for the presence and potential role of EBV-infected immune cells within the MS brain and highlight key unanswered questions that remain critical for understanding EBV-driven neuroinflammation.