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Perron H. A tale of a hidden family of genetic immigrants. Microbes Infect 2024:105387. [PMID: 38944111 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Though not usual for the editors of a scientific journal to ask that a story be told to its readers, this special issue is offering an opportunity to pay tribute to all those who have made it possible for a long scientific journey to open up many research avenues, to access the discoveries of what was not known and to the understanding of what was unveiled in the field of human endogenous retroviruses. In particular, and beyond a simple fortuitous association, to show their pathogenic involvement in certain diseases whose causality has been the subject of numerous and variable hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Perron
- GeNeuro, 3 chemin du Pré-Fleuri, 1228 Plan-les-ouates, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneuro-Innovation, 60A, Avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France.
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2
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Tamouza R, Meyer U, Lucas A, Richard JR, Nkam I, Pinot A, Djonouma N, Boukouaci W, Charvet B, Pierquin J, Brunel J, Fourati S, Rodriguez C, Barau C, Le Corvoisier P, El Abdellati K, De Picker L, Perron H, Leboyer M. Patients with psychosis spectrum disorders hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic unravel overlooked SARS-CoV-2 past infection clustering with HERV-W ENV expression and chronic inflammation. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:272. [PMID: 37524719 PMCID: PMC10390536 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02575-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiology has repeatedly associated certain infections with a risk of further developing psychiatric diseases. Such infections can activate retro-transposable genetic elements (HERV) known to trigger immune receptors and impair synaptic plasticity of neuroreceptors. Since the HERV-W ENV protein was recently shown to co-cluster with pro-inflammatory cytokines in a subgroup of patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, we questioned the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with psychosis spectrum disorders (PSD). Present results revealed that (i) SARS-CoV-2 serology shows high prevalence and titers of antibodies in PSD, (ii) HERV-W ENV is detected in seropositive individuals only and (iii) SARS-CoV-2 and HERV-W ENV positivity co-clustered with high serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in psychotic patients. These results thus suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection in many patients with psychotic disorders now admitted in the psychiatry department did not cause severe COVID-19. They also confirm the previously reported association of elevated serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and HERV-W ENV in a subgroup of psychotic patients. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this cluster is only found in SARS-CoV-2 seropositive PSD cases, suggesting a dominant influence of this virus on HERV-W ENV and cytokine expression, and/or patients' greater susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further investigation on an interplay between this viral infection and the clinical evolution of such PSD patients is needed. However, this repeatedly defined subgroup of psychotic patients with a pro-inflammatory phenotype and HERV expression calls for a differential therapeutic approach in psychoses, therefore for further precision medicine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryad Tamouza
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Département Médico-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie (DMU IMPACT), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision (FHU ADAPT), Créteil, F-94010, France.
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France.
- Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, France.
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Lucas
- Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires (I2MC), We-Met Platform, Inserm UMR1297 and Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean Romain Richard
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Irène Nkam
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Département Médico-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie (DMU IMPACT), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision (FHU ADAPT), Créteil, F-94010, France
| | - Armand Pinot
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Département Médico-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie (DMU IMPACT), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision (FHU ADAPT), Créteil, F-94010, France
| | - Ndilyam Djonouma
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Département Médico-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie (DMU IMPACT), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision (FHU ADAPT), Créteil, F-94010, France
| | - Wahid Boukouaci
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Benjamin Charvet
- GeNeuro, 18, chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
- Université de Lyon-UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Justine Pierquin
- GeNeuro, 18, chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
- Université de Lyon-UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Joanna Brunel
- GeNeuro, 18, chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
- Université de Lyon-UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Slim Fourati
- Virology Unit, Department of Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infections, Hôpital Henri Mondor (AP-HP) and Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, INSERM U955, Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
| | - Christophe Rodriguez
- Virology Unit, Department of Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infections, Hôpital Henri Mondor (AP-HP) and Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale, INSERM U955, Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
| | - Caroline Barau
- APHP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Plateforme de Ressources Biologiques, F94010, Créteil, France
| | - Philippe Le Corvoisier
- Université Paris Est Créteil, Centre Investigation Clinique, CIC Henri Mondor, Créteil, F94010, France
| | - Kawtar El Abdellati
- CAPRI, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- University Psychiatric Centre, Duffel, Belgium
- ECNP Immuno-NeuroPsychiatry Network, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Livia De Picker
- CAPRI, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- University Psychiatric Centre, Duffel, Belgium
- ECNP Immuno-NeuroPsychiatry Network, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hervé Perron
- GeNeuro, 18, chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
- Université de Lyon-UCBL, Lyon, France
| | - Marion Leboyer
- AP-HP, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Département Médico-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie (DMU IMPACT), Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision (FHU ADAPT), Créteil, F-94010, France
- Université Paris Est Créteil, INSERM U955, IMRB, Laboratoire Neuro-Psychiatrie translationnelle, F-94010, Créteil, France
- Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, France
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Subramanian K, Paul S, Libby A, Patterson J, Arterbery A, Knight J, Castaldi C, Wang G, Avitzur Y, Martinez M, Lobritto S, Deng Y, Geliang G, Kroemer A, Fishbein T, Mason A, Dominguez-Villar M, Mariappan M, Ekong UD. HERV1-env Induces Unfolded Protein Response Activation in Autoimmune Liver Disease: A Potential Mechanism for Regulatory T Cell Dysfunction. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:732-744. [PMID: 36722941 PMCID: PMC10691554 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are not terminally differentiated but can acquire effector properties. Here we report an increased expression of human endogenous retrovirus 1 (HERV1-env) proteins in Tregs of patients with de novo autoimmune hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis, which induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. HERV1-env-triggered ER stress activates all three branches (IRE1, ATF6, and PERK) of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Our coimmunoprecipitation studies show an interaction between HERV1-env proteins and the ATF6 branch of the UPR. The activated form of ATF6α activates the expression of RORC and STAT3 by binding to promoter sequences and induces IL-17A production. Silencing of HERV1-env results in recovery of Treg suppressive function. These findings identify ER stress and UPR activation as key factors driving Treg plasticity (species: human).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Subramanian
- Department of Surgery, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Saikat Paul
- Department of Surgery, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Andrew Libby
- Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Jordan Patterson
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Adam Arterbery
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - James Knight
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Guilin Wang
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yaron Avitzur
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mercedes Martinez
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steve Lobritto
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yanhong Deng
- Yale Center for Analytical Sciences, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gan Geliang
- Yale Center for Analytical Sciences, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alexander Kroemer
- Department of Surgery, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Thomas Fishbein
- Department of Surgery, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Andrew Mason
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | | | - Udeme D. Ekong
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Surgery, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
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Tovo PA, Garazzino S, Savino F, Daprà V, Pruccoli G, Dini M, Filisetti G, Funiciello E, Galliano I, Bergallo M. Expressions of Type I and III Interferons, Endogenous Retroviruses, TRIM28, and SETDB1 in Children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:1197-1217. [PMID: 36826024 PMCID: PMC9954910 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45020079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferons (IFNs) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) play essential roles for the control of viral infections. Their expression in infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is poorly defined. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent 8% of our genome and modulate inflammatory and immune reactions. TRIM28 and SETDB1 participate in the epigenetic regulation of genes involved in the immune response, including IFNs and HERVs. No study has explored the expression of HERVs, TRIM28, and SETDB1 during RSV bronchiolitis. We assessed, through a PCR real-time Taqman amplification assay, the transcription levels of six IFN-I ISGs, four IFNλs, the pol genes of HERV-H, -K, and -W families, the env genes of Syncytin (SYN)1 and SYN2, and of TRIM28/SETDB1 in whole blood from 37 children hospitalized for severe RSV bronchiolitis and in healthy children (HC). The expression of most IFN-I ISGs was significantly higher in RSV+ patients than in age-matched HC, but it was inhibited by steroid therapy. The mRNA concentrations of IFN-λs were comparable between patients and age-matched HC. This lack of RSV-driven IFN-III activation may result in the defective protection of the airway mucosal surface leading to severe bronchiolitis. The expression of IFN-III showed a positive correlation with age in HC, that could account for the high susceptibility of young children to viral respiratory tract infections. The transcription levels of every HERV gene were significantly lower in RSV+ patients than in HC, while the expressions of TRIM28/SETDB1 were overlapping. Given the negative impact of HERVs and the positive effects of TRIM28/SETDB1 on innate and adaptive immune responses, the downregulation of the former and the normal expression of the latter may contribute to preserving immune functions against infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Angelo Tovo
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence: Correspondence: (P.-A.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Silvia Garazzino
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Savino
- Early Infancy Special Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Care, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Daprà
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Pruccoli
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Maddalena Dini
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giacomo Filisetti
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Early Infancy Special Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Care, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Funiciello
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Ilaria Galliano
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bergallo
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence: Correspondence: (P.-A.T.); (M.B.)
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Enhanced Expression of Human Endogenous Retroviruses, TRIM28 and SETDB1 in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23115964. [PMID: 35682642 PMCID: PMC9180946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are relics of ancestral infections and represent 8% of the human genome. They are no longer infectious, but their activation has been associated with several disorders, including neuropsychiatric conditions. Enhanced expression of HERV-K and HERV-H envelope genes has been found in the blood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients, but no information is available on syncytin 1 (SYN1), SYN2, and multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus (MSRV), which are thought to be implicated in brain development and immune responses. HERV activation is regulated by TRIM28 and SETDB1, which are part of the epigenetic mechanisms that organize the chromatin architecture in response to external stimuli and are involved in neural cell differentiation and brain inflammation. We assessed, through a PCR realtime Taqman amplification assay, the transcription levels of pol genes of HERV-H, -K, and -W families, of env genes of SYN1, SYN2, and MSRV, as well as of TRIM28 and SETDB1 in the blood of 33 ASD children (28 males, median 3.8 years, 25–75% interquartile range 3.0–6.0 y) and healthy controls (HC). Significantly higher expressions of TRIM28 and SETDB1, as well as of all the HERV genes tested, except for HERV-W-pol, were found in ASD, as compared with HC. Positive correlations were observed between the mRNA levels of TRIM28 or SETDB1 and every HERV gene in ASD patients, but not in HC. Overexpression of TRIM28/SETDB1 and several HERVs in children with ASD and the positive correlations between their transcriptional levels suggest that these may be main players in pathogenetic mechanisms leading to ASD.
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Frey TR, Akinyemi IA, Burton EM, Bhaduri-McIntosh S, McIntosh MT. An Ancestral Retrovirus Envelope Protein Regulates Persistent Gammaherpesvirus Lifecycles. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:708404. [PMID: 34434177 PMCID: PMC8381357 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.708404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human gammaherpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) persist as life-long infections alternating between latency and lytic replication. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), via integration into the host genome, represent genetic remnants of ancient retroviral infections. Both show similar epigenetic silencing while dormant, but can reactivate in response to cell signaling cues or triggers that, for gammaherpesviruses, result in productive lytic replication. Given their co-existence with humans and shared epigenetic silencing, we asked if HERV expression might be linked to lytic activation of human gammaherpesviruses. We found ERVW-1 mRNA, encoding the functional HERV-W envelope protein Syncytin-1, along with other repeat class elements, to be elevated upon lytic activation of EBV. Knockdown/knockout of ERVW-1 reduced lytic activation of EBV and KSHV in response to various lytic cycle triggers. In this regard, reduced expression of immediate early proteins ZEBRA and RTA for EBV and KSHV, respectively, places Syncytin-1's influence on lytic activation mechanistically upstream of the latent-to-lytic switch. Conversely, overexpression of Syncytin-1 enhanced lytic activation of EBV and KSHV in response to lytic triggers, though this was not sufficient to induce lytic activation in the absence of such triggers. Syncytin-1 is expressed in replicating B cell blasts and lymphoma-derived B cell lines where it appears to contribute to cell cycle progression. Together, human gammaherpesviruses and B cells appear to have adapted a dependency on Syncytin-1 that facilitates the ability of EBV and KSHV to activate lytic replication from latency, while promoting viral persistence during latency by contributing to B cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany R. Frey
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Research Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ibukun A. Akinyemi
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Research Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Eric M. Burton
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Michael T. McIntosh
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Research Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Tovo PA, Garazzino S, Daprà V, Pruccoli G, Calvi C, Mignone F, Alliaudi C, Denina M, Scolfaro C, Zoppo M, Licciardi F, Ramenghi U, Galliano I, Bergallo M. COVID-19 in Children: Expressions of Type I/II/III Interferons, TRIM28, SETDB1, and Endogenous Retroviruses in Mild and Severe Cases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7481. [PMID: 34299101 PMCID: PMC8303145 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Children with the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have milder symptoms and a better prognosis than adult patients. Several investigations assessed type I, II, and III interferon (IFN) signatures in SARS-CoV-2 infected adults, however no data are available for pediatric patients. TRIM28 and SETDB1 regulate the transcription of multiple genes involved in the immune response as well as of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). Exogenous viral infections can trigger the activation of HERVs, which in turn can induce inflammatory and immune reactions. Despite the potential cross-talks between SARS-CoV-2 infection and TRIM28, SETDB1, and HERVs, information on their expressions in COVID-19 patients is lacking. We assessed, through a PCR real time Taqman amplification assay, the transcription levels of six IFN-I stimulated genes, IFN-II and three of its sensitive genes, three IFN-lIIs, as well as of TRIM28, SETDB1, pol genes of HERV-H, -K, and -W families, and of env genes of Syncytin (SYN)1, SYN2, and multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus (MRSV) in peripheral blood from COVID-19 children and in control uninfected subjects. Higher expression levels of IFN-I and IFN-II inducible genes were observed in 36 COVID-19 children with mild or moderate disease as compared to uninfected controls, whereas their concentrations decreased in 17 children with severe disease and in 11 with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Similar findings were found for the expression of TRIM-28, SETDB1, and every HERV gene. Positive correlations emerged between the transcriptional levels of type I and II IFNs, TRIM28, SETDB1, and HERVs in COVID-19 patients. IFN-III expressions were comparable in each group of subjects. This preserved induction of IFN-λs could contribute to the better control of the infection in children as compared to adults, in whom IFN-III deficiency has been reported. The upregulation of IFN-I, IFN-II, TRIM28, SETDB1, and HERVs in children with mild symptoms, their declines in severe cases or with MIS-C, and the positive correlations of their transcription in SARS-CoV-2-infected children suggest that they may play important roles in conditioning the evolution of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Angelo Tovo
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (M.D.); (F.L.); (U.R.); (I.G.)
| | - Silvia Garazzino
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.S.); (M.Z.)
| | - Valentina Daprà
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Giulia Pruccoli
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (M.D.); (F.L.); (U.R.); (I.G.)
| | - Cristina Calvi
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (M.D.); (F.L.); (U.R.); (I.G.)
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Federica Mignone
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.S.); (M.Z.)
| | - Carla Alliaudi
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (M.D.); (F.L.); (U.R.); (I.G.)
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Marco Denina
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (M.D.); (F.L.); (U.R.); (I.G.)
| | - Carlo Scolfaro
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.S.); (M.Z.)
| | - Marisa Zoppo
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.G.); (F.M.); (C.S.); (M.Z.)
| | - Francesco Licciardi
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (M.D.); (F.L.); (U.R.); (I.G.)
| | - Ugo Ramenghi
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (M.D.); (F.L.); (U.R.); (I.G.)
| | - Ilaria Galliano
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (M.D.); (F.L.); (U.R.); (I.G.)
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Massimiliano Bergallo
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.P.); (C.C.); (C.A.); (M.D.); (F.L.); (U.R.); (I.G.)
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
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Jones AR, Iacoangeli A, Adey BN, Bowles H, Shatunov A, Troakes C, Garson JA, McCormick AL, Al-Chalabi A. A HML6 endogenous retrovirus on chromosome 3 is upregulated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis motor cortex. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14283. [PMID: 34253796 PMCID: PMC8275748 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93742-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) play a significant role in central nervous system diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Studies of ALS have consistently identified retroviral enzyme reverse transcriptase activity in patients. Evidence indicates that ERVs are the cause of reverse transcriptase activity in ALS, but it is currently unclear whether this is due to a specific ERV locus or a family of ERVs. We employed a combination of bioinformatic methods to identify whether specific ERVs or ERV families are associated with ALS. Using the largest post-mortem RNA-sequence datasets available we selectively identified ERVs that closely resembled full-length proviruses. In the discovery dataset there was one ERV locus (HML6_3p21.31c) that showed significant increased expression in post-mortem motor cortex tissue after multiple-testing correction. Using six replication post-mortem datasets we found HML6_3p21.31c was consistently upregulated in ALS in motor cortex and cerebellum tissue. In addition, HML6_3p21.31c showed significant co-expression with cytokine binding and genes involved in EBV, HTLV-1 and HIV type-1 infections. There were no significant differences in ERV family expression between ALS and controls. Our results support the hypothesis that specific ERV loci are involved in ALS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R. Jones
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 9NU UK
| | - Alfredo Iacoangeli
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 9NU UK ,grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.451056.30000 0001 2116 3923National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Brett N. Adey
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Harry Bowles
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 9NU UK ,grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.451056.30000 0001 2116 3923National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre and Dementia Unit at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.451056.30000 0001 2116 3923National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Aleksey Shatunov
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 9NU UK
| | - Claire Troakes
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764MRC London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Jeremy A. Garson
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Adele L. McCormick
- grid.12896.340000 0000 9046 8598School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, SE5 9NU UK
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Activation of Endogenous Retrovirus, Brain Infections and Environmental Insults in Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147263. [PMID: 34298881 PMCID: PMC8303979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic neurodegenerative diseases are complex, and their pathogenesis is uncertain. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain alteration that is responsible for most dementia cases in the elderly. AD etiology is still uncertain; however, chronic neuroinflammation is a constant component of brain pathology. Infections have been associated with several neurological diseases and viruses of the Herpes family appear to be a probable cause of AD neurodegenerative alterations. Several different factors may contribute to the AD clinical progression. Exogeneous viruses or other microbes and environmental pollutants may directly induce neurodegeneration by activating brain inflammation. In this paper, we suggest that exogeneous brain insults may also activate retrotransposons and silent human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). The initial inflammation of small brain areas induced by virus infections or other brain insults may activate HERV dis-regulation that contributes to neurodegenerative mechanisms. Chronic HERV activation in turn may cause progressive neurodegeneration that thereafter merges in cognitive impairment and dementia in genetically susceptible people. Specific treatment for exogenous end endogenous pathogens and decreasing pollutant exposure may show beneficial effect in early intervention protocol to prevent the progression of cognitive deterioration in the elderly.
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10
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Bello-Morales R, Andreu S, Ripa I, López-Guerrero JA. HSV-1 and Endogenous Retroviruses as Risk Factors in Demyelination. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115738. [PMID: 34072259 PMCID: PMC8199333 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic alphaherpesvirus that can infect the peripheral and central nervous systems, and it has been implicated in demyelinating and neurodegenerative processes. Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences that can move from one genomic location to another. TEs have been linked to several diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS), including multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease of unknown etiology influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Exogenous viral transactivators may activate certain retrotransposons or class I TEs. In this context, several herpesviruses have been linked to MS, and one of them, HSV-1, might act as a risk factor by mediating processes such as molecular mimicry, remyelination, and activity of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). Several herpesviruses have been involved in the regulation of human ERVs (HERVs), and HSV-1 in particular can modulate HERVs in cells involved in MS pathogenesis. This review exposes current knowledge about the relationship between HSV-1 and human ERVs, focusing on their contribution as a risk factor for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Bello-Morales
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (S.A.); (I.R.); (J.A.L.-G.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Sabina Andreu
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (S.A.); (I.R.); (J.A.L.-G.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Ripa
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (S.A.); (I.R.); (J.A.L.-G.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Antonio López-Guerrero
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (S.A.); (I.R.); (J.A.L.-G.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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11
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Human Endogenous Retrovirus as Therapeutic Targets in Neurologic Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060495. [PMID: 34073730 PMCID: PMC8225122 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient retroviral DNA sequences established into germline. They contain regulatory elements and encoded proteins few of which may provide benefits to hosts when co-opted as cellular genes. Their tight regulation is mainly achieved by epigenetic mechanisms, which can be altered by environmental factors, e.g., viral infections, leading to HERV activation. The aberrant expression of HERVs associates with neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), inflammatory processes and neurodegeneration. This review summarizes the recent advances on the epigenetic mechanisms controlling HERV expression and the pathogenic effects triggered by HERV de-repression. This article ends by describing new, promising therapies, targeting HERV elements, one of which, temelimab, has completed phase II trials with encouraging results in treating MS. The information gathered here may turn helpful in the design of new strategies to unveil epigenetic failures behind HERV-triggered diseases, opening new possibilities for druggable targets and/or for extending the use of temelimab to treat other associated diseases.
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12
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Padmanabhan Nair V, Liu H, Ciceri G, Jungverdorben J, Frishman G, Tchieu J, Cederquist GY, Rothenaigner I, Schorpp K, Klepper L, Walsh RM, Kim TW, Cornacchia D, Ruepp A, Mayer J, Hadian K, Frishman D, Studer L, Vincendeau M. Activation of HERV-K(HML-2) disrupts cortical patterning and neuronal differentiation by increasing NTRK3. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1566-1581.e8. [PMID: 33951478 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The biological function and disease association of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are largely elusive. HERV-K(HML-2) has been associated with neurotoxicity, but there is no clear understanding of its role or mechanistic basis. We addressed the physiological functions of HERV-K(HML-2) in neuronal differentiation using CRISPR engineering to activate or repress its expression levels in a human-pluripotent-stem-cell-based system. We found that elevated HERV-K(HML-2) transcription is detrimental for the development and function of cortical neurons. These effects are cell-type-specific, as dopaminergic neurons are unaffected. Moreover, high HERV-K(HML-2) transcription alters cortical layer formation in forebrain organoids. HERV-K(HML-2) transcriptional activation leads to hyperactivation of NTRK3 expression and other neurodegeneration-related genes. Direct activation of NTRK3 phenotypically resembles HERV-K(HML-2) induction, and reducing NTRK3 levels in context of HERV-K(HML-2) induction restores cortical neuron differentiation. Hence, these findings unravel a cell-type-specific role for HERV-K(HML-2) in cortical neuron development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hengyuan Liu
- Department of Genome-Oriented Bioinformatics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gabriele Ciceri
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Johannes Jungverdorben
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Goar Frishman
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jason Tchieu
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gustav Y Cederquist
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ina Rothenaigner
- Assay Development and Screening Platform, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Kenji Schorpp
- Assay Development and Screening Platform, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Lena Klepper
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ryan M Walsh
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tae Wan Kim
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniela Cornacchia
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andreas Ruepp
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jens Mayer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Kamyar Hadian
- Assay Development and Screening Platform, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Dmitrij Frishman
- Department of Genome-Oriented Bioinformatics, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Lorenz Studer
- Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Vincendeau
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; Developmental Biology and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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13
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Kristensen MK, Christensen T. Regulation of the expression of human endogenous retroviruses: elements in fetal development and a possible role in the development of cancer and neurological diseases. APMIS 2021; 129:241-253. [PMID: 33683784 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral germline infections. Most HERV sequences are silenced in somatic cells, but interest is emerging on the involvement of HERV derived transcripts and proteins in human physiology and disease. A HERV-W encoded protein, syncytin-1, has been co-opted into fetal physiology, where it plays a role in trophoblast formation. Altered HERV transcription and expression of HERV derived proteins are associated with various cancer types and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The implication of HERVs as potential mediators of both health and disease suggests important roles of regulatory mechanisms and alterations of these in physiological and pathological processes. The regulation of HERV sequences is mediated by a wide variety of mechanisms, and the focus of this review is on selected aspects of these, including epigenetic mechanisms such as CpG methylation and histone modifications of the HP1-H3K9me axis, viral transactivation events, and regulatory perspectives of transient stimuli in the microenvironment. Increasing knowledge of the regulation of HERV sequences will not only contribute to the understanding of complex pathogeneses, but also may pinpoint potential targets for better diagnosis and treatment in complex diseases as MS.
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14
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Römer C. Viruses and Endogenous Retroviruses as Roots for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:648629. [PMID: 33776642 PMCID: PMC7994506 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.648629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases are associated with chronic inflammation in the brain and periphery giving rise to a continuous imbalance of immune processes. Next to inflammation markers, activation of transposable elements, including long intrespersed nuclear elements (LINE) elements and endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), has been identified during neurodegenerative disease progression and even correlated with the clinical severity of the disease. ERVs are remnants of viral infections in the human genome acquired during evolution. Upon activation, they produce transcripts and the phylogenetically youngest ones are still able to produce viral-like particles. In addition, ERVs can bind transcription factors and modulate immune response. Being between own and foreign, ERVs are reviewed in the context of viral infections of the central nervous system, in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, this review tests the hypothesis that viral infection may be a trigger at the onset of neuroinflammation and that ERVs sustain the inflammatory imbalance by summarizing existing data of neurodegenerative diseases associated with viruses and/or ERVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Römer
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, The Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Berlin, Germany
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15
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Gröger V, Emmer A, Staege MS, Cynis H. Endogenous Retroviruses in Nervous System Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010070. [PMID: 33467098 PMCID: PMC7829834 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several nervous system disorders including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The toxicity of HERV-derived RNAs and proteins for neuronal cells has been demonstrated. The involvement of HERV in the pathogenesis of currently incurable diseases might offer new treatment strategies based on the inhibition of HERV activities by small molecules or therapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Gröger
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-557-7280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.)
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-557-7280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.)
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16
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The Relationship of the Mechanisms of the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis and the Expression of Endogenous Retroviruses. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9120464. [PMID: 33322628 PMCID: PMC7764762 DOI: 10.3390/biology9120464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, develops at an early age and often leads to a disability. The etiological cause of the disease has not been fully elucidated, and as a result, no effective treatment is available. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the relationship between the expression of human endogenous retroviruses and the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. The epigenetic mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, the role of transcription factors, cytokines, and exogenous viruses are also addressed in this review. The elucidation of the mechanisms of an increase in endogenous retrovirus expression in multiple sclerosis could help to develop therapeutic strategies and novel methods for early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Abstract Two human endogenous retroviruses of the HERV-W family can act as cofactors triggering multiple sclerosis (MS): MS-associated retrovirus (MSRV) and ERVWE1. Endogenous retroviral elements are believed to have integrated in our ancestors’ DNA millions of years ago. Their involvement in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including neurodegenerative pathologies, has been demonstrated. Numerous studies have shown a correlation between the deterioration of patients’ health and increased expression of endogenous retroviruses. The exact causes and mechanisms of endogenous retroviruses activation remains unknown, which hampers development of therapeutics. In this review, we will summarize the main characteristics of human endogenous W retroviruses and describe the putative mechanisms of activation, including epigenetic mechanisms, humoral factors as well as the role of the exogenous viral infections.
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17
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The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Demyelination of the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239111. [PMID: 33266211 PMCID: PMC7729475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is being increasingly demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are deeply involved in the physiology of the central nervous system (CNS). Processes such as synaptic activity, neuron-glia communication, myelination and immune response are modulated by EVs. Likewise, these vesicles may participate in many pathological processes, both as triggers of disease or, on the contrary, as mechanisms of repair. EVs play relevant roles in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases, in viral infections of the CNS and in demyelinating pathologies such as multiple sclerosis (MS). This review describes the involvement of these membrane vesicles in major demyelinating diseases, including MS, neuromyelitis optica, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and demyelination associated to herpesviruses.
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18
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Dechaumes A, Bertin A, Sane F, Levet S, Varghese J, Charvet B, Gmyr V, Kerr-Conte J, Pierquin J, Arunkumar G, Pattou F, Perron H, Hober D. Coxsackievirus-B4 Infection Can Induce the Expression of Human Endogenous Retrovirus W in Primary Cells. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1335. [PMID: 32883004 PMCID: PMC7563422 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retrovirus W Envelope (HERV-W ENV) mRNA or protein can be found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and exocrine pancreas of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Further, previous observations have shown an association between enteroviral infection and development of T1D; specifically, coxsackievirus-B (CV-B) has been detected in the blood and pancreas of patients with T1D. Notably, viruses can activate HERV-W expression. Hence, we evaluated the effect of CV-B4 infection on HERV-W ENV mRNA expression. Primary human pancreatic ductal cells were obtained from five brain-dead donors. In the pancreatic cells of three donors, the HERV-W ENV mRNA level measured using RT-qPCR was upregulated upon CV-B4 infection. The HERV-W ENV protein was detected in the infected cells using the immunoblot assay. In human PBMCs inoculated with CV-B4 or when CV-B4 was incubated with an enhancing serum, the HERV-W ENV mRNA level was higher than the background RNA level. In monocyte-derived macrophages obtained from 5 of 13 donors, the HERV-W ENV mRNA level was higher in cultures inoculated with CV-B4 than in the control. Therefore, CV-B4 can upregulate or induce the transcription of a certain HERV-W ENV copy (or copies) in primary cell cultures, such as monocytes, macrophages, and pancreatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Dechaumes
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
| | - Antoine Bertin
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
| | - Famara Sane
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
| | - Sandrine Levet
- Geneuro Innovation, 69008 Lyon, France; (S.L.); (B.C.); (J.P.); (H.P.)
| | - Jennifer Varghese
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
- Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India;
| | - Benjamin Charvet
- Geneuro Innovation, 69008 Lyon, France; (S.L.); (B.C.); (J.P.); (H.P.)
| | - Valéry Gmyr
- U1190 Univ Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, 59000 Lille, France; (V.G.); (J.K.-C.); (F.P.)
| | - Julie Kerr-Conte
- U1190 Univ Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, 59000 Lille, France; (V.G.); (J.K.-C.); (F.P.)
| | - Justine Pierquin
- Geneuro Innovation, 69008 Lyon, France; (S.L.); (B.C.); (J.P.); (H.P.)
| | | | - François Pattou
- U1190 Univ Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, 59000 Lille, France; (V.G.); (J.K.-C.); (F.P.)
| | - Hervé Perron
- Geneuro Innovation, 69008 Lyon, France; (S.L.); (B.C.); (J.P.); (H.P.)
- Geneuro SA, 1228 Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculté de Médecine Laënnec, Université de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Didier Hober
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
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19
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Bello-Morales R, Andreu S, López-Guerrero JA. The Role of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection in Demyelination of the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145026. [PMID: 32708697 PMCID: PMC7404202 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic virus that infects the peripheral and central nervous systems. After primary infection in epithelial cells, HSV-1 spreads retrogradely to the peripheral nervous system (PNS), where it establishes a latent infection in the trigeminal ganglia (TG). The virus can reactivate from the latent state, traveling anterogradely along the axon and replicating in the local surrounding tissue. Occasionally, HSV-1 may spread trans-synaptically from the TG to the brainstem, from where it may disseminate to higher areas of the central nervous system (CNS). It is not completely understood how HSV-1 reaches the CNS, although the most accepted idea is retrograde transport through the trigeminal or olfactory tracts. Once in the CNS, HSV-1 may induce demyelination, either as a direct trigger or as a risk factor, modulating processes such as remyelination, regulation of endogenous retroviruses, or molecular mimicry. In this review, we describe the current knowledge about the involvement of HSV-1 in demyelination, describing the pathways used by this herpesvirus to spread throughout the CNS and discussing the data that suggest its implication in demyelinating processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Bello-Morales
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (S.A.); (J.A.L.-G.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Sabina Andreu
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (S.A.); (J.A.L.-G.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Antonio López-Guerrero
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (S.A.); (J.A.L.-G.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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20
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Tovo PA, Rabbone I, Tinti D, Galliano I, Trada M, Daprà V, Cerutti F, Bergallo M. Enhanced expression of human endogenous retroviruses in new-onset type 1 diabetes: Potential pathogenetic and therapeutic implications. Autoimmunity 2020; 53:283-288. [PMID: 32586158 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2020.1777281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been studied and proposed as relevant cofactors in several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D), though with controversial results and no study at disease onset. In order to gather further information on the potential role of HERVs in the development of T1D we assessed the transcription levels of pol genes of HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W in peripheral leucocytes from 37 children and adolescents with new-onset T1D and 50 age-matched control subjects. A PCR real time Taqman amplification assay was used to evaluate HERV transcripts with normalisation of the results to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The expression levels of HERV-H-pol gene and HERV-W-pol gene were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects. Conversely, no significant difference emerged in the expression levels of HERV-K-pol gene between diabetic patients and controls. The activation of HERV-H and HERV-W in new-onset T1D suggests their importance in the pathogenesis of the disease and supports targeted therapeutic attempts to hinder their activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Angelo Tovo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ivana Rabbone
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Davide Tinti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ilaria Galliano
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Michela Trada
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Daprà
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Franco Cerutti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bergallo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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21
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Tarlinton RE, Martynova E, Rizvanov AA, Khaiboullina S, Verma S. Role of Viruses in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis. Viruses 2020; 12:E643. [PMID: 32545816 PMCID: PMC7354629 DOI: 10.3390/v12060643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune inflammatory disease, where the underlying etiological cause remains elusive. Multiple triggering factors have been suggested, including environmental, genetic and gender components. However, underlying infectious triggers to the disease are also suspected. There is an increasing abundance of evidence supporting a viral etiology to MS, including the efficacy of interferon therapy and over-detection of viral antibodies and nucleic acids when compared with healthy patients. Several viruses have been proposed as potential triggering agents, including Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, John Cunningham virus and human endogenous retroviruses. These viruses are all near ubiquitous and have a high prevalence in adult populations (or in the case of the retroviruses are actually part of the genome). They can establish lifelong infections with periods of reactivation, which may be linked to the relapsing nature of MS. In this review, the evidence for a role for viral infection in MS will be discussed with an emphasis on immune system activation related to MS disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E. Tarlinton
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK;
| | - Ekaterina Martynova
- Insititute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (E.M.); (A.A.R.)
| | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Insititute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (E.M.); (A.A.R.)
| | | | - Subhash Verma
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA;
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22
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Tovo PA, Garazzino S, Daprà V, Alliaudi C, Silvestro E, Calvi C, Montanari P, Galliano I, Bergallo M. Chronic HCV Infection Is Associated with Overexpression of Human Endogenous Retroviruses that Persists after Drug-Induced Viral Clearance. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E3980. [PMID: 32492928 PMCID: PMC7313012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with several hepatic and extrahepatic complications, including cancers and autoimmune disorders, whose frequency is reduced but not abolished after drug-induced viral clearance. The causes of these complications and of their persistence are ill-defined. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancestral infections and constitute 8% of the human genome. Most HERV elements are inactive, but some are transcribed. HERV overexpression is associated with many cancers and autoimmune diseases with a putative pathogenetic role. Several viral infections trigger HERV activation, but there are no studies on HCV-infected subjects. We assessed, through a PCR real-time amplification assay, the transcription levels of the pol genes of HERV-H, -K, and -W, and of their repressor TRIM28 in white blood cells (WBCs) of vertically infected children, both before and after therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The results documented significantly higher expressions of HERV-H-pol and HERV-K-pol, not of HERV-W-pol, in HCV-infected subjects as compared to age-matched controls. HERV RNA levels remained unchanged after DAA-driven viral clearance. No significant variations in transcription levels of TRIM28 were observed in infected subjects. Our findings demonstrate HERV-H-pol and HERV-K-pol overexpression in subjects with chronic HCV infection, without variations after a positive response to DAAs; this might justify their predisposition to cancers and autoimmune disorders that persist after a DAA-induced resolution of viremia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Angelo Tovo
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.A.); (C.C.); (P.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Silvia Garazzino
- Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Unit, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.G.); (E.S.)
| | - Valentina Daprà
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Carla Alliaudi
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.A.); (C.C.); (P.M.); (I.G.)
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Erika Silvestro
- Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Unit, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (S.G.); (E.S.)
| | - Cristina Calvi
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.A.); (C.C.); (P.M.); (I.G.)
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Paola Montanari
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.A.); (C.C.); (P.M.); (I.G.)
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Galliano
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.A.); (C.C.); (P.M.); (I.G.)
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Massimiliano Bergallo
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.A.); (C.C.); (P.M.); (I.G.)
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
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23
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Lathe R, Darlix JL. Prion protein PrP nucleic acid binding and mobilization implicates retroelements as the replicative component of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. Arch Virol 2020; 165:535-556. [PMID: 32025859 PMCID: PMC7024060 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04529-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The existence of more than 30 strains of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) and the paucity of infectivity of purified PrPSc, as well as considerations of PrP structure, are inconsistent with the protein-only (prion) theory of TSE. Nucleic acid is a strong contender as a second component. We juxtapose two key findings: (i) PrP is a nucleic-acid-binding antimicrobial protein that is similar to retroviral Gag proteins in its ability to trigger reverse transcription. (ii) Retroelement mobilization is widely seen in TSE disease. Given further evidence that PrP also mediates nucleic acid transport into and out of the cell, a strong case is to be made that a second element – retroelement nucleic acid – bound to PrP constitutes the second component necessary to explain the multiple strains of TSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Lathe
- Division of Infection Medicine, University of Edinburgh School of Medicine, Edinburgh, UK. .,Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow, Moscow Region, Russia.
| | - Jean-Luc Darlix
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathologies (Unité Mixte de Recherche 7021), Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.
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24
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Endogenous Retroviruses Activity as a Molecular Signature of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20236050. [PMID: 31801288 PMCID: PMC6928979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genetic elements resulting from relics of ancestral infection of germline cells, now recognized as cofactors in the etiology of several complex diseases. Here we present a review of findings supporting the role of the abnormal HERVs activity in neurodevelopmental disorders. The derailment of brain development underlies numerous neuropsychiatric conditions, likely starting during prenatal life and carrying on during subsequent maturation of the brain. Autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, and schizophrenia are neurodevelopmental disorders that arise clinically during early childhood or adolescence, currently attributed to the interplay among genetic vulnerability, environmental risk factors, and maternal immune activation. The role of HERVs in human embryogenesis, their intrinsic responsiveness to external stimuli, and the interaction with the immune system support the involvement of HERVs in the derailed neurodevelopmental process. Although definitive proofs that HERVs are involved in neurobehavioral alterations are still lacking, both preclinical models and human studies indicate that the abnormal expression of ERVs could represent a neurodevelopmental disorders-associated biological trait in affected individuals and their parents.
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25
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Syncytin 1 dependent horizontal transfer of marker genes from retrovirally transduced cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17637. [PMID: 31776415 PMCID: PMC6881383 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54178-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Retroviral transduction is routinely used to generate cell lines expressing exogenous non-viral genes. Here, we show that human cells transduced to stably express GFP transfer GFP gene to non-transduced cells. This horizontal gene transfer was mediated by a fraction of extracellular membrane vesicles that were released by the transduced cells. These vesicles carried endogenous retroviral envelope protein syncytin 1 and essentially acted as replication-competent retroviruses. The ability to transfer the GFP gene correlated with the levels of syncytin 1 expression in the transduced cells and depended on the fusogenic activity of this protein, substantiating the hypothesis that endogenous syncytin 1 mediates fusion stage in the delivery of extracellular vesicle cargo into target cells. Our findings suggest that testing for replication-competent retroviruses, a routine safety test for transduced cell products in clinical studies, should be also carried out for cell lines generated by retroviral vectors in in vitro studies.
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26
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW The aim of this review is to discuss recent data pointing at an involvement of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset and progression. RECENT FINDINGS The envelope protein of HERV-W family, named HERV-W-Env, was detected in pancreata from T1D patients and was shown to display pro-inflammatory properties and direct toxicity toward pancreatic beta cells. The etiopathogenesis of T1D remains elusive, even if conventional environmental viral infections have been recurrently involved. Nonetheless, a new category of pathogens may provide the missing link between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors long thought to contribute to T1D onset. A number of studies have now shown that HERV sequences, which are normally inactivated or repressed in the human genome, could be activated by environmental viruses. Thus, if similarly activated by viruses associated with T1D, disregarded HERV genes may underlie T1D genetic susceptibility. Moreover, once expressed, HERV elements may display broad pathogenic properties, which identify them as potential new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Levet
- GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - B. Charvet
- GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - A. Bertin
- Faculté de Médecine, CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Virologie EA3610, Université Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - A. Deschaumes
- Faculté de Médecine, CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Virologie EA3610, Université Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - H. Perron
- GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
- Laboratoire des déficits immunitaires, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Plan-les-Ouates, GeNeuro SA, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - D. Hober
- Faculté de Médecine, CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Virologie EA3610, Université Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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27
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Milo R, Korczyn AD, Manouchehri N, Stüve O. The temporal and causal relationship between inflammation and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2019; 26:876-886. [PMID: 31682184 DOI: 10.1177/1352458519886943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
It is currently incompletely understood whether inflammation and neurodegeneration are causally related in multiple sclerosis (MS). The sequence of a potential causal relationship is also unknown. Inflammation is present in rather all clinical stages of MS. Its role in the pathogenesis of MS is supported by histopathological analyses, genetic data, and numerous animal models of MS. All approved disease-modifying therapies that reduce clinical relapses and diminish the accumulation of lesions on neuroimaging are anti-inflammatory. Axonal loss and accelerated brain volume loss can also be detected from clinical disease onset throughout all stages. The expression of neurofilament light chain in cerebrospinal fluid and serum, a scaffolding protein in axons and dendrites, is a biomarker of neuronal injury associated with clinical relapses and reflects neuronal loss during episodes of acute inflammation. The recent association of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) and its envelope proteins with MS illustrates a pathogenic pathway that causally links central nervous system (CNS)-intrinsic proinflammatory effects and inhibition of myelin repair and neuroregeneration. A review of current data on the causal relationship between inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS identified numerous plausible pathomechanisms that link the two events. Observations from most experimental models appear to favor a pathogenesis in which inflammation precedes neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Milo
- Department of Neurology, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel/Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Amos D Korczyn
- Department of Neurology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Navid Manouchehri
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Olaf Stüve
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA/Neurology Section, Medical Service, VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, TX, USA/Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
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28
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Gruchot J, Kremer D, Küry P. Neural Cell Responses Upon Exposure to Human Endogenous Retroviruses. Front Genet 2019; 10:655. [PMID: 31354794 PMCID: PMC6637040 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient retroviral elements, which invaded the human germ line several million years ago. Subsequent retrotransposition events amplified these sequences, resulting in approximately 8% of the human genome being composed of HERV sequences today. These genetic elements, normally dormant within human genomes, can be (re)-activated by environmental factors such as infections with other viruses, leading to the expression of viral proteins and, in some instances, even to viral particle production. Several studies have shown that the expression of these retroviral elements correlates with the onset and progression of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Further studies provided evidence on additional roles for HERVs in schizophrenia (SCZ). Since these diseases are still not well understood, HERVs might constitute a new category of pathogenic components that could significantly change our understanding of these pathologies. Moreover, knowledge about their mode of action might also help to develop novel and more powerful approaches for the treatment of these complex diseases. Therefore, the main scope of this review is a description of the current knowledge on the involvement of HERV-W and HERV-K in neurological disease specifically focusing on the effects they exert on neural cells of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Gruchot
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - David Kremer
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Patrick Küry
- Department of Neurology, Neuroregeneration, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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29
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Morris G, Maes M, Murdjeva M, Puri BK. Do Human Endogenous Retroviruses Contribute to Multiple Sclerosis, and if So, How? Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:2590-2605. [PMID: 30047100 PMCID: PMC6459794 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1255-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The gammaretroviral human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) families MRSV/HERV-W and HERV-H (including the closely related HERV-Fc1) are associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Complete HERV sequences betray their endogenous retroviral origin, with open reading frames in gag, pro, pol and env being flanked by two long terminal repeats containing promoter and enhancer sequences with the capacity to regulate HERV transactivation and the activity of host genes in spite of endogenous epigenetic repression mechanisms. HERV virions, RNA, cDNA, Gag and Env, and antibodies to HERV transcriptional products, have variously been found in the blood and/or brain and/or cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients, with the HERV expression level being associated with disease status. Furthermore, some HERV-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), such as rs662139 T/C in a 3-kb region of Xq22.3 containing a HERV-W env locus, and rs391745, upstream of the HERV-Fc1 locus on the X chromosome, are associated with MS susceptibility, while a negative association has been reported with SNPs in the tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) protein-encoding genes TRIM5 and TRIM22. Factors affecting HERV transcription include immune activation and inflammation, since HERV promoter regions possess binding sites for related transcription factors; oxidative stress, with oxidation of guanine to 8-oxoguanine and conversion of cytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine preventing binding of methyl groups transferred by DNA methyltransferases; oxidative stress also inhibits the activity of deacetylases, thereby favouring the acetylation of histone lysine residues favouring gene expression; interferon beta; natalizumab treatment; impaired epigenetic regulation; and the sex of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Maes
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Marianna Murdjeva
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Basant K Puri
- Department of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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30
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Küry P, Nath A, Créange A, Dolei A, Marche P, Gold J, Giovannoni G, Hartung HP, Perron H. Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Neurological Diseases. Trends Mol Med 2018; 24:379-394. [PMID: 29551251 PMCID: PMC7185488 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The causes of multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have long remained elusive. A new category of pathogenic components, normally dormant within human genomes, has been identified: human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). These represent ∼8% of the human genome, and environmental factors have reproducibly been shown to trigger their expression. The resulting production of envelope (Env) proteins from HERV-W and HERV-K appears to engage pathophysiological pathways leading to the pathognomonic features of MS and ALS, respectively. Pathogenic HERV elements may thus provide a missing link in understanding these complex diseases. Moreover, their neutralization may represent a promising strategy to establish novel and more powerful therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Küry
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Avindra Nath
- Section of infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alain Créange
- Service de Neurologie, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris (APHP), Université Paris Est, Créteil, France
| | - Antonina Dolei
- Department of Virology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Patrice Marche
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), University of Grenoble-Alpes, La Tronche, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) Unité 1209, La Tronche, France
| | - Julian Gold
- Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University, London, UK; The Albion Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University, London, UK
| | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Hervé Perron
- Geneuro, Plan les Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland; University of Lyon, Lyon, France
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31
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Mentis AFA, Dardiotis E, Grigoriadis N, Petinaki E, Hadjigeorgiou GM. Viruses and endogenous retroviruses in multiple sclerosis: From correlation to causation. Acta Neurol Scand 2017; 136:606-616. [PMID: 28542724 PMCID: PMC7159535 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated disease with an environmental component. According to a long-standing but unproven hypothesis dating to initial descriptions of multiple sclerosis (MS) at the end of the 19th century, viruses are either directly or indirectly implicated in MS pathogenesis. Whether viruses in MS are principally causal or simply contributory remains to be proven, but many viruses or viral elements-predominantly Epstein-Barr virus, human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) but also less common viruses such as Saffold and measles viruses-are associated with MS. Here, we present an up-to-date and comprehensive review of the main candidate viruses implicated in MS pathogenesis and summarize how these viruses might cause or lead to the hallmark demyelinating and inflammatory lesions of MS. We review data from epidemiological, animal and in vitro studies and in doing so offer a transdisciplinary approach to the topic. We argue that it is crucially important not to interpret "absence of evidence" as "evidence of absence" and that future studies need to focus on distinguishing correlative from causative associations. Progress in the MS-virus field is expected to arise from an increasing body of knowledge on the interplay between viruses and HERVs in MS. Such interactions suggest common HERV-mediated pathways downstream of viral infection that cause both neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. We also comment on the limitations of existing studies and provide future research directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.-F. A. Mentis
- Department of Microbiology; University Hospital of Larissa; University of Thessaly; Larissa Greece
- The Johns Hopkins University, AAP; Baltimore MD USA
| | - E. Dardiotis
- Department of Neurology; University Hospital of Larissa; University of Thessaly; Larissa Greece
| | - N. Grigoriadis
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology; B’ Department of Neurology; AHEPA University Hospital; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - E. Petinaki
- Department of Microbiology; University Hospital of Larissa; University of Thessaly; Larissa Greece
| | - G. M. Hadjigeorgiou
- Department of Neurology; University Hospital of Larissa; University of Thessaly; Larissa Greece
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Levet S, Medina J, Joanou J, Demolder A, Queruel N, Réant K, Normand M, Seffals M, Dimier J, Germi R, Piofczyk T, Portoukalian J, Touraine JL, Perron H. An ancestral retroviral protein identified as a therapeutic target in type-1 diabetes. JCI Insight 2017; 2:94387. [PMID: 28878130 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.94387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), remnants of ancestral viral genomic insertions, are known to represent 8% of the human genome and are associated with several pathologies. In particular, the envelope protein of HERV-W family (HERV-W-Env) has been involved in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis. Investigations to detect HERV-W-Env in a few other autoimmune diseases were negative, except in type-1 diabetes (T1D). In patients suffering from T1D, HERV-W-Env protein was detected in 70% of sera, and its corresponding RNA was detected in 57% of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. While studies on human Langerhans islets evidenced the inhibition of insulin secretion by HERV-W-Env, this endogenous protein was found to be expressed by acinar cells in 75% of human T1D pancreata. An extensive immunohistological analysis further revealed a significant correlation between HERV-W-Env expression and macrophage infiltrates in the exocrine part of human pancreata. Such findings were corroborated by in vivo studies on transgenic mice expressing HERV-W-env gene, which displayed hyperglycemia and decreased levels of insulin, along with immune cell infiltrates in their pancreas. Altogether, these results strongly suggest an involvement of HERV-W-Env in T1D pathogenesis. They also provide potentially novel therapeutic perspectives, since unveiling a pathogenic target in T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Julie Dimier
- IBS, UMR 5075 CEA-CNRS-Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Raphaële Germi
- IBS, UMR 5075 CEA-CNRS-Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Department of Virology, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | | | - Hervé Perron
- GeNeuro Innovation, Lyon, France.,Laboratoire des déficits immunitaires, University of Lyon, France.,GeNeuro SA, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
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Kriesel JD, Bhetariya PJ, Chan BK, Wilson T, Fischer KF. Enrichment of Retroviral Sequences in Brain Tissue from Patients with Severe Demyelinating Diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 3. [PMID: 29202119 PMCID: PMC5707126 DOI: 10.16966/2473-1846.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Our group has used deep sequencing to identify viral RNA signatures in human brain specimens. We have previously used this method to detect HSV1, GBV-C, and measles virus sequence in brain tissue from deceased donors. Deep sequencing was performed on brain specimens from a cohort of patients who died with progressive forms of MS, revealing evidence of increased expression of some human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) domains. Objectives Identify RNA sequences and new antigens involved in the pathogenesis of MS Methods Deep sequencing was performed on RNA extracted from 12 progressive MS, 2 neuromyelitis optica (MS/NMO = demyelination group), 14 normal control, and 7 other neurologic disease (OND) control frozen brain specimens. The resulting single-ended 50 bp sequences (reads) were compared to a non redundant viral database representing (NRVDB) all 1.2 M viral records in GenBank. A retroviral gene catalog (RVGC) was prepared by identifying human genetic loci (GRCh37.p13) homologous to domains contained in the Gypsy 2.0 retro element database. Reads were aligned to the RVGC and human transcriptome with Bowtie2. The resulting viral hit rates (VHRs) were normalized by the number of high quality reads. The expression of human genes, including HERVs, was determined using Cufflinks. Comparisons between the groups were performed using the false discovery rate. Results Fifty to 131 million high quality reads per specimen were obtained. Comparison of the reads to the NRVDB suggested that the demyelination and OND specimens had higher VHRs against some retroviral sequences compared with the controls. This was confirmed by retroviral domain averaging. Gene expression analysis showed differential expression among some HERV sequences. Single read mapping revealed one envelope and one reverse transcriptase sequence record that were significantly enriched among the demyelination samples compared to the normal controls. Less restrictive (comprehensive) read mapping showed that 2 integrase, 2 core, 2 envelope, and 3 KRAB sequences that were overexpressed in the demyelination group. Conclusions These data demonstrate that some endogenous retroviral sequences are significantly overexpressed in these demyelination brain tissue specimens, but the magnitude of this overexpression is small. This is consistent with the concept of HERV activation as a part of the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Kriesel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, USA
| | - P J Bhetariya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, USA
| | - B K Chan
- Yale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - T Wilson
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - K F Fischer
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Grandi N, Tramontano E. Type W Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV-W) Integrations and Their Mobilization by L1 Machinery: Contribution to the Human Transcriptome and Impact on the Host Physiopathology. Viruses 2017; 9:v9070162. [PMID: 28653997 PMCID: PMC5537654 DOI: 10.3390/v9070162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient infection relics constituting ~8% of our DNA. While HERVs’ genomic characterization is still ongoing, impressive amounts of data have been obtained regarding their general expression across tissues. Among HERVs, one of the most studied is the W group, which is the sole HERV group specifically mobilized by the long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) machinery, providing a source of novel insertions by retrotransposition of HERV-W processed pseudogenes, and comprising a member encoding a functional envelope protein coopted for human placentation. The HERV-W group has been intensively investigated for its putative role in several diseases, such as cancer, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Despite major interest in the link between HERV-W expression and human pathogenesis, no conclusive correlation has been demonstrated so far. In general, (i) the absence of a proper identification of the specific HERV-W sequences expressed in a given condition; and (ii) the lack of studies attempting to connect the various observations in the same experimental conditions are the major problems preventing the definitive assessment of the HERV-W impact on human physiopathology. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the HERV-W group presence within the human genome and its expression in physiological tissues as well as in the main pathological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato SS554, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato SS554, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
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Abstract
Gut virome has been shown to yield some beneficial effects on humans, being deeply involved in physiology, inflammation, immunity, and disease. Together with transkingdom interactions, it can interplay with genetic variation in the host to establish specific phenotypes. These interactions can lead to phenotypes not observed with either the virus or the host variation alone. Unfavorable alteration of gut virome composition has been implicated in chronic, and perhaps also systemic, immune disorders, such as in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. This review focuses on what is currently known regarding the role of commensal gut virome in chronic gut inflammation, and speculate on the important translational implications in regard to gut virome modulation in inflammatory bowel disease with the end goal of promoting gut health.
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36
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Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study in the North of Iran. ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2016. [DOI: 10.5812/archcid.36576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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37
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Li F, Karlsson H. Expression and regulation of human endogenous retrovirus W elements. APMIS 2016; 124:52-66. [PMID: 26818262 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) comprise 8% of the human genome and can be classified into at least 31 families. A typical HERV provirus consists of internal gag, pol and env genes, flanked by two long terminal repeats (LTRs). No single provirus is capable of engendering infectious particles. HERV are by nature repetitive and have with few notable exceptions lost their protein-coding capacity. Therefore, HERV have consistently been excluded from array-based expression studies and hence little is known of their expression, regulation, and potential functional significance. An increasing number of studies have, however, observed expression of the W family of HERV in various human tissues and cells, predominantly in placenta. HERV-W LTRs act as promoters in directing transcription of HERV-W members, contribute to their tissue-specific and highly diversified expression pattern. Furthermore, leaky transcription originating from adjacent genes plays a role in the transcription initiation of HERV-W psudoelements. It has been reported that HERV-W elements, including ERVWE1 (the so far only known HERV-W locus harboring a gene (env) functionally adopted by the human host to critically participate in placenta biogenesis), can become transactivated in a range of human non-placental cell-lines during exogenous virus infections. Aberrant expression of HERV-W has been associated with human diseases, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia. Based on published reports, transcriptional activities of HERV-W appear to be influenced by several mechanisms; binding of transcription factors to LTR promoters and enhancers outside of LTRs, genetic variation and alteration in DNA methylation and histone modification. Emerging mechanistic studies support the notion that HERV-W represents a potential marker or mediator of environmental exposures (e.g., virus infection) in the development of chronic complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China.,Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Håkan Karlsson
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Crespillo AJ, Praena B, Bello-Morales R, Lerma L, Vázquez-Calvo A, Martín-Acebes MA, Tabarés E, Sobrino F, López-Guerrero JA. Inhibition of herpes virus infection in oligodendrocyte cultured cells by valproic acid. Virus Res 2016; 214:71-9. [PMID: 26805038 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a small fatty acid used for treatment of different neurologic diseases such as epilepsy, migraines or bipolar disorders. VPA modulates different processes of cell metabolism that can lead to alterations in susceptibility of several cell types to the infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as well as to exert an inhibitory effect on the replication of different enveloped viruses in cultured cells. Taken these data into account and the fact that HSV-1 has been involved in some neuropathies, we have characterized the effect of VPA on this herpesvirus infection of the differentiation/maturation-inducible human oligodendrocyte cell line HOG, which resulted more susceptible to VPA inhibition of virus growth after cell differentiation. In these cells, the role of VPA in virus entry was tackled. Incubation with VPA induced a slight but reproducible inhibition in the virus particles uptake mainly observed when the drug was added in the adsorption or early upon infection. In addition, transcription and expression of viral proteins were significantly downregulated in the presence of VPA. Remarkably, when the infective viral production was assessed, VPA dramatically blocked the detection of infectious HSV-1 particles. Herein, our results indicate that VPA treatment of HOG cells significantly reduces the effect of HSV-1 infection, virus entry and productivity without affecting cellular viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Crespillo
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Edificio de Biología, Darwin 2, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - B Praena
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Edificio de Biología, Darwin 2, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - R Bello-Morales
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Edificio de Biología, Darwin 2, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - L Lerma
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - A Vázquez-Calvo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - M A Martín-Acebes
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - E Tabarés
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - F Sobrino
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - J A López-Guerrero
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Edificio de Biología, Darwin 2, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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Metagenomic analysis of microbiome in colon tissue from subjects with inflammatory bowel diseases reveals interplay of viruses and bacteria. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2015; 21:1419-27. [PMID: 25939040 PMCID: PMC4450971 DOI: 10.1097/mib.0000000000000344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are poorly understood disorders affecting the intestinal tract. The current model for disease suggests that genetically susceptible patients develop intolerance to gut microflora, and chronic inflammation develops as a result of environmental insults. Although interest has mainly focused on studying genetic variants and gut bacterial flora, little is known about the potential of viral infection to contribute to disease. Accordingly, we conducted a metagenomic analysis to document the baseline virome in colonic biopsy samples from patients with IBD in order to assess the contribution of viral infection to IBD. Libraries were generated from colon RNA to create approximately 2 GB sequence data per library. Using a bioinformatic pipeline designed to detect viral sequences, more than 1000 viral reads were derived directly from tissue without any coculture or isolation procedure. Herein, we describe the complexity and abundance of viruses, bacteria/bacteriophage, and human endogenous retroviral sequences from 10 patients with IBD and 5 healthy subjects undergoing surveillance colonoscopy. Differences in gut microflora and the abundance of mammalian viruses and human endogenous retroviruses were readily detected in the metagenomic analyses. Specifically, patients with herpesviridae sequences in their colon demonstrated increased expression of human endogenous viral sequences and differences in the diversity of their microbiome. This study provides a promising metagenomic approach to describe the colonic microbiome that can be used to better understand virus-host and phage-bacteria interactions in IBD.
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40
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Vincendeau M, Göttesdorfer I, Schreml JMH, Wetie AGN, Mayer J, Greenwood AD, Helfer M, Kramer S, Seifarth W, Hadian K, Brack-Werner R, Leib-Mösch C. Modulation of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) transcription during persistent and de novo HIV-1 infection. Retrovirology 2015; 12:27. [PMID: 25886562 PMCID: PMC4375885 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-015-0156-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human genome contains multiple LTR elements including human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) that together account for approximately 8-9% of the genomic DNA. At least 40 different HERV groups have been assigned to three major HERV classes on the basis of their homologies to exogenous retroviruses. Although most HERVs are silenced by a variety of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, they may be reactivated by environmental stimuli such as exogenous viruses and thus may contribute to pathogenic conditions. The objective of this study was to perform an in-depth analysis of the influence of HIV-1 infection on HERV activity in different cell types. RESULTS A retrovirus-specific microarray that covers major HERV groups from all three classes was used to analyze HERV transcription patterns in three persistently HIV-1 infected cell lines of different cellular origins and in their uninfected counterparts. All three persistently infected cell lines showed increased transcription of multiple class I and II HERV groups. Up-regulated transcription of five HERV taxa (HERV-E, HERV-T, HERV-K (HML-10) and two ERV9 subgroups) was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analysis and could be reversed by knock-down of HIV-1 expression with HIV-1-specific siRNAs. Cells infected de novo by HIV-1 showed stronger transcriptional up-regulation of the HERV-K (HML-2) group than persistently infected cells of the same origin. Analysis of transcripts from individual members of this group revealed up-regulation of predominantly two proviral loci (ERVK-7 and ERVK-15) on chromosomes 1q22 and 7q34 in persistently infected KE37.1 cells, as well as in de novo HIV-1 infected LC5 cells, while only one single HML-2 locus (ERV-K6) on chromosome 7p22.1 was activated in persistently infected LC5 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that HIV-1 can alter HERV transcription patterns of infected cells and indicate a correlation between activation of HERV elements and the level of HIV-1 production. Moreover, our results suggest that the effects of HIV-1 on HERV activity may be far more extensive and complex than anticipated from initial studies with clinical material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Vincendeau
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany. .,Research Unit Cellular Signal Integration, Institute of Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Ingmar Göttesdorfer
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Julia M H Schreml
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Armand G Ngounou Wetie
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Jens Mayer
- Department of Human Genetics, Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany.
| | - Alex D Greenwood
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Markus Helfer
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Susanne Kramer
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Seifarth
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Kamyar Hadian
- Research Unit Cellular Signal Integration, Institute of Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany. .,Assay Development and Screening Platform, Institute of Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Ruth Brack-Werner
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Christine Leib-Mösch
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany. .,Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
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41
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Emmer A, Staege MS, Kornhuber ME. The retrovirus/superantigen hypothesis of multiple sclerosis. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2014; 34:1087-96. [PMID: 25138639 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-014-0100-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is as yet unknown. Commonly, MS is assumed to be due to an autoimmune inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS). Neurodegeneration is regarded to be a secondary reaction. This concept is increasingly being challenged. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) that could be locally activated in the CNS have been proposed as an alternative concept. HERV-encoded envelope proteins (env) can act as strong immune stimulators (superantigens). Thus, slow disease progression following neurodegeneration might be induced by re-activation of HERV expression directly, while relapses in parallel to inflammation might be secondary to the expression of HERV-encoded superantigens. It has been shown previously that T-cell superantigens are capable to induce a cellular inflammatory reaction in the CNS of experimental animals similar to that in MS. Furthermore, B-cell superantigens have been shown to activate blood leucocytes in vitro to produce immunoglobulin in an oligoclonal manner. It remains to be established, whether the outlined hypothesis accords with all known features of MS. Furthermore, anti-HERV agents may be taken into consideration to enrich and improve MS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany,
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42
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Bello-Morales R, Crespillo AJ, García B, Dorado LÁ, Martín B, Tabarés E, Krummenacher C, de Castro F, López-Guerrero JA. The effect of cellular differentiation on HSV-1 infection of oligodendrocytic cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89141. [PMID: 24551233 PMCID: PMC3923881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic virus that infects many types of cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that oligodendrocytic cells are highly susceptible to HSV-1 infection. Here we analysed HSV-1 infection of a human oligodendrocytic cell line, HOG, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) cultured under growth or differentiation conditions. In addition to cell susceptibility, the role of the major cell receptors for viral entry was assessed. Our results revealed that OPCs and HOG cells cultured under differentiation conditions became more susceptible to HSV-1. On the other hand, viral infection induced morphological changes corresponding to differentiated cells, suggesting that HSV-1 might be inducing cell differentiation. We also observed colocalization of HVEM and nectin-1 with viral particles, suggesting that these two major HSV-1 receptors are functional in HOG cells. Finally, electron microscopy assays indicated that HSV-1 may be also entering OLs by macropinocytosis depending on their differentiation stage. In addition, vesicles containing intracellular enveloped virions observed in differentiated cells point to an endocytic mechanism of virus entry. All these data are indicative of diverse entry pathways dependent on the maturation stage of OLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Bello-Morales
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Edificio de Biología, Darwin 2, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Beatriz García
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Ángel Dorado
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Edificio de Biología, Darwin 2, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Martín
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Tabarés
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Madrid, Spain
| | - Claude Krummenacher
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Fernando de Castro
- Grupo de Neurobiología del Desarrollo-GNDe, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Toledo, Spain
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Transcriptional derepression of the ERVWE1 locus following influenza A virus infection. J Virol 2014; 88:4328-37. [PMID: 24478419 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.03628-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Syncytin-1, a fusogenic protein encoded by a human endogenous retrovirus of the W family (HERV-W) element (ERVWE1), is expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast layer of the placenta. This locus is transcriptionally repressed in adult tissues through promoter CpG methylation and suppressive histone modifications. Whereas syncytin-1 appears to be crucial for the development and functioning of the human placenta, its ectopic expression has been associated with pathological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. We previously reported on the transactivation of HERV-W elements, including ERVWE1, during influenza A/WSN/33 virus infection in a range of human cell lines. Here we report the results of quantitative PCR analyses of transcripts encoding syncytin-1 in both cell lines and primary fibroblast cells. We observed that spliced ERVWE1 transcripts and those encoding the transcription factor glial cells missing 1 (GCM1), acting as an enhancer element upstream of ERVWE1, are prominently upregulated in response to influenza A/WSN/33 virus infection in nonplacental cells. Knockdown of GCM1 by small interfering RNA followed by infection suppressed the transactivation of ERVWE1. While the infection had no influence on CpG methylation in the ERVWE1 promoter, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays detected decreased H3K9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) and histone methyltransferase SETDB1 levels along with influenza virus proteins associated with ERVWE1 and other HERV-W loci in infected CCF-STTG1 cells. The present findings suggest that an exogenous influenza virus infection can transactivate ERVWE1 by increasing transcription of GCM1 and reducing H3K9me3 in this region and in other regions harboring HERV-W elements. IMPORTANCE Syncytin-1, a protein encoded by the env gene in the HERV-W locus ERVWE1, appears to be crucial for the development and functioning of the human placenta and is transcriptionally repressed in nonplacental tissues. Nevertheless, its ectopic expression has been associated with pathological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. In the present paper, we report findings suggesting that an exogenous influenza A virus infection can transactivate ERVWE1 by increasing the transcription of GCM1 and reducing the repressive histone mark H3K9me3 in this region and in other regions harboring HERV-W elements. These observations have implications of potential relevance for viral pathogenesis and for conditions associated with the aberrant transcription of HERV-W loci.
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44
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HHV-6 and Multiple Sclerosis. HUMAN HERPESVIRUSES HHV-6A, HHV-6B & HHV-7 2014. [PMCID: PMC7152315 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-62703-2.00007-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system, thought to be an autoimmune disease mediated by autoreactive lymphocytes. The pathogenesis of MS is multifactorial and is thought to be triggered by multiple environmental factors in genetically susceptible individuals. Viruses have long been postulated as potential environmental triggers in MS, and there is increasing evidence of a link between viruses and MS. Some of the most compelling data have been found in human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) research. HHV-6 is a ubiquitous, neurotropic herpesvirus; HHV-6 DNA has been found in MS plaques compared to healthy brain tissue. Studies have also shown that MS patients have higher viral titers and higher DNA detection in serum and CSF compared to controls, and that the virus seems to be more actively replicating in MS patients. Potential mechanisms for HHV-6 leading to autoimmunity include molecular mimicry, bystander activation, and epitope spreading, among others.
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45
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Douville RN, Nath A. Human endogenous retroviruses and the nervous system. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2014; 123:465-85. [PMID: 25015500 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-53488-0.00022-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Renée N Douville
- Department of Microbiology, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Avindra Nath
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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46
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Perron H, Dougier-Reynaud HL, Lomparski C, Popa I, Firouzi R, Bertrand JB, Marusic S, Portoukalian J, Jouvin-Marche E, Villiers CL, Touraine JL, Marche PN. Human endogenous retrovirus protein activates innate immunity and promotes experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80128. [PMID: 24324591 PMCID: PMC3855614 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex multifactorial disease of the central nervous system (CNS) for which animal models have mainly addressed downstream immunopathology but not potential inducers of autoimmunity. In the absence of a pathogen known to cause neuroinflammation in MS, Mycobacterial lysate is commonly used in the form of complete Freund's adjuvant to induce autoimmunity to myelin proteins in Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for MS. The present study demonstrates that a protein from the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-W family (MSRV-Env) can be used instead of mycobacterial lysate to induce autoimmunity and EAE in mice injected with MOG, with typical anti-myelin response and CNS lesions normally seen in this model. MSRV-Env was shown to induce proinflammatory response in human macrophage cells through TLR4 activation pathway. The present results demonstrate a similar activation of murine dendritic cells and show the ability of MSRV-Env to trigger EAE in mice. In previous studies, MSRV-Env protein was reproducibly detected in MS brain lesions within microglia and perivascular macrophages. The present results are therefore likely to provide a model for MS, in which the upstream adjuvant triggering neuroinflammation is the one detected in MS active lesions. This model now allows pre-clinical studies with therapeutic agents targeting this endogenous retroviral protein in MS.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Animals
- Cells, Cultured
- Central Nervous System
- Dendritic Cells
- Disease Models, Animal
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/chemically induced
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/genetics
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology
- Gene Expression
- Gene Products, env/administration & dosage
- Gene Products, env/immunology
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate/drug effects
- Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/genetics
- Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Multiple Sclerosis/genetics
- Multiple Sclerosis/immunology
- Multiple Sclerosis/pathology
- Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein/administration & dosage
- Peptide Fragments/administration & dosage
- Pregnancy Proteins/administration & dosage
- Pregnancy Proteins/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/administration & dosage
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- Toll-Like Receptor 4/deficiency
- Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics
- Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Perron
- Geneuro, Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
- Geneuro-Innovation, Lyon, France
- Université Lyon-1, Lyon, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Hei-Lanne Dougier-Reynaud
- Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
- Institut Albert Bonniot, UMR_S823, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
- ImmunAlp, Gières, France
| | - Christina Lomparski
- Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
- Institut Albert Bonniot, UMR_S823, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
| | - Iuliana Popa
- UMR CNRS 8612, University of Paris XI, Chatenay Malabry, France
| | | | | | - Suzana Marusic
- Hook laboratories, Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Evelyne Jouvin-Marche
- Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
- Institut Albert Bonniot, UMR_S823, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
| | - Christian L. Villiers
- Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
- Institut Albert Bonniot, UMR_S823, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Patrice N. Marche
- Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
- Institut Albert Bonniot, UMR_S823, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France
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47
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Maliniemi P, Vincendeau M, Mayer J, Frank O, Hahtola S, Karenko L, Carlsson E, Mallet F, Seifarth W, Leib-Mösch C, Ranki A. Expression of human endogenous retrovirus-w including syncytin-1 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76281. [PMID: 24098463 PMCID: PMC3788054 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathomechanism of mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) and a malignancy of non-recirculating, skin-resident T-cells, is unknown albeit underlying viral infections have been sought for. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient retroviral sequences in the human genome and their transcription is often deregulated in cancers. We explored the transcriptional activity of HERV sequences in a total of 34 samples comprising MF and psoriasis skin lesions, as well as corresponding non-malignant skin using a retrovirus-specific microarray and quantitative RT-PCR. To identify active HERV-W loci, we cloned the HERV-W specific RT-PCR products, sequenced the cDNA clones and assigned the sequences to HERV-W loci. Finally, we used immunohistochemistry on MF patient and non-malignant inflammatory skin samples to confirm specific HERV-encoded protein expression. Firstly, a distinct, skin-specific transcription profile consisting of five constitutively active HERV groups was established. Although individual variability was common, HERV-W showed significantly increased transcription in MF lesions compared to clinically intact skin from the same patient. Predominantly transcribed HERV-W loci were found to be located in chromosomes 6q21 and 7q21.2, chromosomal regions typically altered in CTCL. Surprisingly, we also found the expression of 7q21.2/ERVWE1-encoded Syncytin-1 (Env) protein in MF biopsies and expression of Syncytin-1 was seen in malignant lymphocytes, especially in the epidermotropic ones, in 15 of 30 cases studied. Most importantly, no Syncytin-1 expression was detected in inflammatory dermatosis (Lichen ruber planus) with skin-homing, non-malignant T lymphocytes. The expression of ERVWE1 mRNA was further confirmed in 3/7 MF lesions analyzed. Our observations strengthen the association between activated HERVs and cancer. The study offers a new perspective into the pathogenesis of CTCL since we demonstrate that differences in HERV-W transcription levels between lesional MF and non-malignant skin are significant, and that ERVWE1-encoded Syncytin-1 is expressed in MF lymphoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilvi Maliniemi
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Michelle Vincendeau
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Research Unit Cellular Signal Integration, Institute of Molecular Toxicology and Pharmacology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jens Mayer
- Department of Human Genetics, Center of Human and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Frank
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mannheim Medical Center, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sonja Hahtola
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leena Karenko
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emilia Carlsson
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Francois Mallet
- Joint Unit Hospices Civils de Lyon-bioMérieux, Cancer Biomarkers Research Group, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Wolfgang Seifarth
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mannheim Medical Center, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christine Leib-Mösch
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Mannheim Medical Center, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Annamari Ranki
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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48
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Kremer D, Schichel T, Förster M, Tzekova N, Bernard C, van der Valk P, van Horssen J, Hartung HP, Perron H, Küry P. Human endogenous retrovirus type W envelope protein inhibits oligodendroglial precursor cell differentiation. Ann Neurol 2013; 74:721-32. [DOI: 10.1002/ana.23970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Revised: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 06/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David Kremer
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty; Heinrich-Heine-University; Düsseldorf Germany
| | - Tanja Schichel
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty; Heinrich-Heine-University; Düsseldorf Germany
| | - Moritz Förster
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty; Heinrich-Heine-University; Düsseldorf Germany
| | - Nevena Tzekova
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty; Heinrich-Heine-University; Düsseldorf Germany
| | | | - Paul van der Valk
- Department of Pathology; VU University Medical Center; Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Jack van Horssen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology; VU University Medical Center; Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty; Heinrich-Heine-University; Düsseldorf Germany
| | | | - Patrick Küry
- Department of Neurology Medical Faculty; Heinrich-Heine-University; Düsseldorf Germany
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49
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Yu HL, Zhao ZK, Zhu F. The role of human endogenous retroviral long terminal repeat sequences in human cancer (Review). Int J Mol Med 2013; 32:755-62. [PMID: 23900638 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2013.1460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) and solitary long terminal repeats (LTRs) constitute 8% of the human genome. Although most HERV genes are partially deleted and not intact, HERV LTRs comprise features including promoters, enhancers, selective splicer sites and polyadenylation sites in order to regulate the expression of neighboring genes. Owing to the genetic instability of LTRs, their wide distributions along human chromosomes are not only non-random, but are also correlated with gene density. Considerable evidence indicates that HERV LTRs regulate the expression of their adjacent viral and cellular genes in placental development and tumorigenesis. However, the regulatory mechanism of HERV LTRs on the expression of its neighboring cancer-associated genes in human cancers remains to be elucidated. Insertional mutagenesis, recombination and polymorphism are three principal factors of LTR that contribute to its genetic instability. Moreover, genetic instability, hypomethylation, transactivation and the antisense transcript of LTRs enhance the activity of LTRs and regulate the expression of their adjacent genes in human cancers. Therefore, in the present review, we examined the mechanism of HERV LTRs in tumorigenesis in combination with the structure and function of LTRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Lian Yu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, PR China
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50
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Activation of elements in HERV-W family by caffeine and aspirin. Virus Genes 2013; 47:219-27. [PMID: 23813246 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-013-0939-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Caffeine and aspirin have been suggested to be involved in neurologic diseases, such as schizophrenia, and previous data have revealed that abnormal expression of HERV-W elements may be an important factor in the etiopathogenesis of those diseases. In this article, we reported that caffeine and aspirin contributed to the expression of HERV-W env and gag in Human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and quantitative Real-time PCR were used to detect the mRNA of HERV-W env and gag in cells exposed to caffeine or aspirin. Western blotting was used to detect the protein of HERV-W env. Luciferase activity assay was employed to detect the activity of HERV-W env promoter. It was found that both caffeine and aspirin could increase the expression of HERV-W env and gag in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Caffeine could activate the HERV-W env promoter, while aspirin could not. With previous studies we can conjecture that HERVs might play a bridging role between environmental factors, such as drugs and neurologic diseases.
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