Two endogenous retroviral loci appear to contribute to Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Two endogenous retroviral loci seem to be involved in the human disease Multiple sclerosis (MS).

Results: The two retroviral loci synergize in and contribute to MS (shown by ANOVA). Synergy probably means recombination or complementation of the activated viruses. Similar observations may be true for Type 1 Diabetes and Rheumatoid arthritis. In MS the genes also synergize with the immune system; this could well be a common phenomenon.

Conclusion: We formulate various theories about the role of the viruses. Also, the concept is developing that some forms of autoimmunity should be treatable with antiretrovirals. In the case of MS, this idea is gradually gaining weight.