Honors Theses

Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Degree Name

BS

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Faculty Mentor

John N. Soltys, Ph.D.

Advisor(s)

William A. Kilgo, Ph.D. and David C. Forbes, Ph.D.

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory disorder affecting the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. Patients experience cognitive, motor, autonomic, and emotional symptoms that often overlap with other neurological conditions, making early diagnosis challenging. Current diagnostic criteria require evidence of lesions with dissemination in time and space. Racial disparities in MS outcomes are well documented, with Black individuals often exhibiting greater disease severity, higher relapse rates, and increased disability compared to White individuals. These differences likely reflect a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and healthcare access factors, underscoring the need to improve early diagnosis and reduce inequities in care. This study investigates whether Black Americans with MS exhibit distinct antibody profiles against candidate MS-related antigens, including myelin antigens such as Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) and Proteolipid Protein 1 (PLP-1), as well as viral antigens Epstein–Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and Epstein–Barr Nuclear Antigen 2 (EBNA-2). PCR amplification was performed using gene-specific primers, with viral sequences amplified from plasmid templates and myelin antigens from human whole brain cDNA. In parallel, clinical and proteomic data from the Octave MS Disease Activity database were analyzed to assess immune signaling and disease activity across populations. Preliminary results show successful amplification of several antigen targets, while optimization of EBNA-1 amplification is ongoing. These efforts aim to support future antibody profiling studies to identify immunologic signatures that may improve early diagnosis and promote more equitable MS outcomes.

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