Could SARS-CoV-2 Infection Be a Novel Risk Factor for Multiple Sclerosis?

• Published in: Neuroimmunomodulation Vol. 29; no. 4; p. 251
• Main Authors: Magdy, Rehab, Hussein, Mona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 02-03-2022
• Subjects: Blood-Brain Barrier; COVID-19; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis - epidemiology; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2; Multiple sclerosis; Molecular mimicry; Blood-brain barrier; Cytokine storm; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2
• ISSN: 1423-0216
• DOI: 10.1159/000521891

The outbreak of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has challenged the healthcare community worldwide. The SARS-CoV-2 primarily affects the respiratory system; however, strong evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can be neuroinvasive, resulting in several neurological complications. It was previously assumed that some coronaviruses are involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology via various mechanisms. The mechanisms involved in coronavirus-induced central demyelination are complex and largely redundant. Molecular mimicry was proposed to be one of the possible mechanisms. Disruption of the blood-brain barrier, dysregulation in several inflammatory cytokines, and upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases were also thought to induce central demyelinating pathology. This raises a question about the possible role of SARS-CoV-2 as a novel risk factor for MS.