{
  "abstract": "T and B cell-mediated immunosurveillance of the central nervous system (CNS) can become maladaptive in multiple sclerosis (MS). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a likely driver of MS, yet how exactly EBV-specific T cells contribute remains unclear. We generated an antigen-resolved atlas of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) T cells from untreated MS patients and controls. T cell clones carrying a GZMK effector-memory program in blood were CSF-biased, particularly in MS, and associated with EBV reactivity. In CSF, EBV-reactive GZMK CD8 T cells engaged B lineage cells. Activated CD8 T cells promoted atypical B cell and plasmablast formation, whereas GZMK-enriched effector-memory cells induced IL-6 and IL-8 release from myeloid cells. Together, these findings identify an infection-imprinted, CNS-biased state and support a model in which EBV-specific CD8 T cells contribute to inflammation through a non-canonical mode of B cell and myeloid cell activation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University Hospital Erlangen"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 25,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "N. P. Kristensen"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. Tsaktanis"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Frischholz"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. K. Benotmane"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Klotz"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. Hilgendorf"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Grotz"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Sousa"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. F. Voss"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Schattgen"
    },
    {
      "name": "V. Lang"
    },
    {
      "name": "H. Reimann"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Storr"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. Lang"
    },
    {
      "name": "B. Spriewald"
    },
    {
      "name": "F. B. Engel"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Boettcher"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Mougiakakos"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Schreiber"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. H. Heiland"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Mader"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. G. Thomas"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. R. Hadrup"
    },
    {
      "name": "V. Rothhammer"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "K. Schober"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2fckdgb4x64nx.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.28.753741",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.28.753741v1.full",
  "id": "2fckdgb4x64nx",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.28.753741v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "immunology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2734|Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7215043800",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.28.753741v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-28",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2fckdgb4x64nx.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:25:40Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.28.753741",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.28.753741v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:immunology",
      "subfield": "immunology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "A pro-inflammatory effector-memory T cell program links peripheral EBV priming to CNS autoimmunity",
  "title_text": "A pro-inflammatory effector-memory T cell program links peripheral EBV priming to CNS autoimmunity",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:25:40Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2fckdgb4x64nx",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}