"This discovery is probably fundamental enough that it will spur many other scientists around the world to reconsider this virus in these disorders," Harley says.
"As a consequence, and assuming that others can replicate our findings, that could lead to therapies, ways of prevention, and ways of anticipating disease that don't now exist.
"So far, no vaccine exists that will prevent EBV. infection.".. (emphasis mine)
The EBV virus invades the B cells themselves, re-programs them, and takes over control of their functions.
The Cincinnati Children's research team has discovered a new clue about how the virus does this, a process that involves tiny proteins called transcription factors.
Our bodies have about 1,600 known transcription factors at work within our genome.
Each cell uses a subset of these to become what they are and to respond to their environment.
These proteins constantly move along the strands of our DNA, turning specific genes on and off to make sure cells function as expected.
Interesting. I’m surprised they haven’t found this discovery before now. I remember driving home with mom from the doctor’s office at around 10 years old after having been diagnosed with “Mono” and I felt anxiety because I knew my suspicious mother was thinking I must have been kissing boys (of course I had not) but when she told me you get it through kissing I was pretty confused. My daughter also contracted it and with her it took a long time to resolve.
Wow! Interesting!
This is all fine and good, but:
-by 5 years old 1/2 of all people will have had mono
-and by 27 the percentage goes up to 90%
Sounds like life causes these conditions.
Thanks for the ping.