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Alshamrani S, Mashraqi MM, Alzamami A, Alturki NA, Almasoudi HH, Alshahrani MA, Basharat Z. Mining Autoimmune-Disorder-Linked Molecular-Mimicry Candidates in Clostridioides difficile and Prospects of Mimic-Based Vaccine Design: An In Silico Approach. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2300. [PMID: 37764144 PMCID: PMC10536613 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular mimicry, a phenomenon in which microbial or environmental antigens resemble host antigens, has been proposed as a potential trigger for autoimmune responses. In this study, we employed a bioinformatics approach to investigate the role of molecular mimicry in Clostridioides difficile-caused infections and the induction of autoimmune disorders due to this phenomenon. Comparing proteomes of host and pathogen, we identified 23 proteins that exhibited significant sequence homology and were linked to autoimmune disorders. The disorders included rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease, etc., while infections included viral and bacterial infections like HIV, HCV, and tuberculosis. The structure of the homologous proteins was superposed, and RMSD was calculated to find the maximum deviation, while accounting for rigid and flexible regions. Two sequence mimics (antigenic, non-allergenic, and immunogenic) of ≥10 amino acids from these proteins were used to design a vaccine construct to explore the possibility of eliciting an immune response. Docking analysis of the top vaccine construct C2 showed favorable interactions with HLA and TLR-4 receptor, indicating potential efficacy. The B-cell and T-helper cell activity was also simulated, showing promising results for effective immunization against C. difficile infections. This study highlights the potential of C. difficile to trigger autoimmunity through molecular mimicry and vaccine design based on sequence mimics that trigger a defensive response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Alshamrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (H.H.A.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Mutaib M. Mashraqi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (H.H.A.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Ahmad Alzamami
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, College of Applied Medical Science, Shaqra University, AlQuwayiyah 11961, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Norah A. Alturki
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hassan H. Almasoudi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (H.H.A.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Mohammed Abdulrahman Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (H.H.A.); (M.A.A.)
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Ferrari L, Monti P, Favero C, Carugno M, Tarantini L, Maggioni C, Bonzini M, Pesatori AC, Bollati V. Association between night shift work and methylation of a subset of immune-related genes. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1083826. [PMID: 36711387 PMCID: PMC9877629 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1083826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Night shift (NS) work has been associated with an increased risk of different conditions characterized by altered inflammatory and immune responses, such as cardio-metabolic and infectious diseases, cancer, and obesity. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, might mirror alterations in biological processes that are influenced by NS work. Methods The present study was conducted on 94 healthy female workers with different working schedules and aimed at identifying whether NS was associated with plasmatic concentrations of the inflammatory proteins NLRP3 and TNF-alpha, as well as with DNA methylation levels of ten human endogenous retroviral (HERV) sequences, and nine genes selected for their role in immune and inflammatory processes. We also explored the possible role of the body mass index (BMI) as an additional susceptibility factor that might influence the effects of NS work on the tested epigenetic modifications. Results and discussion We observed a positive association between NS and NLRP3 levels (p-value 0.0379). Moreover, NS workers retained different methylation levels for ERVFRD-1 (p-value = 0.0274), HERV-L (p-value = 0.0377), and HERV-P (p-value = 0.0140) elements, and for BIRC2 (p-value = 0.0460), FLRT3 (p-value = 0.0422), MIG6 (p-value = 0.0085), and SIRT1 (p-value = 0.0497) genes. We also observed that the BMI modified the relationship between NS and the methylation of ERVE, HERV-L, and ERVW-1 elements. Overall, our results suggest that HERV methylation could pose as a promising biomolecular sensor to monitor not only the effect of NS work but also the cumulative effect of multiple stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Ferrari
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy,Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy,*Correspondence: Luca Ferrari ✉
| | - Paola Monti
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Favero
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Carugno
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy,Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Tarantini
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Maggioni
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Bonzini
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy,Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Angela Cecilia Pesatori
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy,Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy,Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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HERV-K Envelope Protein Induces Long-Lasting Production of Autoantibodies in T1DM Patients at Onset in Comparison to ZNT8 Autoantibodies. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11101188. [PMID: 36297245 PMCID: PMC9607583 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11101188] [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: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been thought of as silent passengers within our genomes, but their reactivation has been linked with several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1DM). In order to evaluate the potential role of HERVs, in addition to the recognized role of HERV-W, we focused on the debated role of the HERV-K family in T1DM. Therefore, we performed a serological evaluation of IgG antibodies against HERV-K Env epitope (HERV-K Env19−37) in comparison to an important β-cellular autoimmunity biomarker, ZnT8, from plasma samples of Sardinian children at the onset of T1DM, different T1DM groups (1−5 and 6−12 years since diagnosis), and healthy controls (HCs), by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A significant antibody response was observed against HERV-K Env19−37 (p < 0.0001) in T1DM patients compared to HCs, and significantly higher IgG responses were detected in the group at the onset compared to the other T1DM groups and HCs. Unlike the trend of the β-cellular autoimmunity autoantibodies, for HERV-K Env antibodies we observed positive values that persist over time up to 5 years since the onset of T1DM. Our results add new evidence about the presence of antibodies against HERV-K in T1DM, but further investigations are necessary to relate these results with the established role of HERVs, considering the contrasting results for HERV-K.
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Beyond fusion: A novel role for ERVW-1 in trophoblast proliferation and type I interferon receptor expression. Placenta 2022; 126:150-159. [PMID: 35816776 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Throughout human pregnancy there is a delicate balance between the maintenance of a proliferative, trophoblast stem cell pool (TSC) and the differentiation from TSC to placental cell sub-lineages like the syncytiotrophoblast (STB). The STB is comprised of multinucleated cells that come into direct contact with maternal blood and provides the first line of defense to protect the fetus from maternal infections. The differentiation of TSC towards STB is primarily driven by human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), specifically Syncytin-1 (ERVW-1) and Syncytin-2 (ERVFRD-1). Beyond cell fusion, there is also evidence to suggest they can regulate cell proliferation and an antiviral response in other cell types. Therefore, we hypothesized that HERV can regulate cell proliferation as well as an antiviral response in TSCs. METHOD shRNA was used to knockdown ERVW-1 in TSCs and revealed reduction in cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell fusion. RT-qPCR and flow cytometry was used to measure other HERV and the presence of Type I and Type II interferon receptors. RESULTS ERVW-1 knockdown (KD) TSCs had a significantly longer cell doubling time and reduced expression of the proliferation marker Ki67. ERVW-1 KD cells also demonstrated a marked deficiency in the ability to differentiate. Interestingly, ERVFRD-1 was upregulated in both ERVW-1 KD TSC and STB cells compared to controls. Finally, we found that the Type I interferon receptors, IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 were significantly increased in ERVW-1 KD STB cells. DISCUSSION These findings uncover critical HERV functions in the trophoblasts and a novel role for ERVW-1 during early human placental development.
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Latifi T, Zebardast A, Marashi SM. The role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in Multiple Sclerosis and the plausible interplay between HERVs, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and vitamin D. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 57:103318. [PMID: 35158423 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the chronic inflammatory diseases with neurological disability in the central nervous system (CNS). Although the exact cause of MS is still largely unknown, both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role in disease risk. Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are endogenous viral elements of the human genome whose expression is associated with MS. HERVs are normally silenced or expressed at low levels, although their expression is higher in MS than in the healthy population. Several studies highlighted the plausible interaction between HERVs and other MS risk factors, including viral infection like Epstein-Barr viruses and vitamin D deficiency which may lead to high expression of HERVs in these patients. Understanding how HERVs act in this scenario can improve our understanding towards MS etiology and may lead to the development of antiretroviral therapies in these patients. Here in this review, we try to examine the different HERVs expression implicated in MS and their association with EBV infection and vitamin D status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayebeh Latifi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arghavan Zebardast
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sayed Mahdi Marashi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Di Sante G, Gremese E, Tolusso B, Cattani P, Di Mario C, Marchetti S, Alivernini S, Tredicine M, Petricca L, Palucci I, Camponeschi C, Aragon V, Gambotto A, Ria F, Ferraccioli G. Haemophilus parasuis ( Glaesserella parasuis) as a Potential Driver of Molecular Mimicry and Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:671018. [PMID: 34485325 PMCID: PMC8415917 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.671018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background:Haemophilus parasuis (Hps; now Glaesserella parasuis) is an infectious agent that causes severe arthritis in swines and shares sequence similarity with residues 261–273 of collagen type 2 (Coll261−273), a possible autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objectives/methods: We tested the presence of Hps sequencing 16S ribosomal RNA in crevicular fluid, synovial fluids, and tissues in patients with arthritis (RA and other peripheral arthritides) and in healthy controls. Moreover, we examined the cross-recognition of Hps by Coll261−273-specific T cells in HLA-DRB1*04pos RA patients, by T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain spectratyping and T-cell phenotyping. Results:Hps DNA was present in 57.4% of the tooth crevicular fluids of RA patients and in 31.6% of controls. Anti-Hps IgM and IgG titers were detectable and correlated with disease duration and the age of the patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with Hps virulence-associated trimeric autotransporter peptide (VtaA10755−766), homologous to human Coll261−273 or co-cultured with live Hps. In both conditions, the expanded TCR repertoire overlapped with Coll261−273 and led to the production of IL-17. Discussion: We show that the DNA of an infectious agent (Hps), not previously described as pathogen in humans, is present in most patients with RA and that an Hps peptide is able to activate T cells specific for Coll261−273, likely inducing or maintaining a molecular mimicry mechanism. Conclusion: The cross-reactivity between VtaA10755−766 of a non-human infectious agent and human Coll261−273 suggests an involvement in the pathogenesis of RA. This mechanism appears emphasized in predisposed individuals, such as patients with shared epitope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Di Sante
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Gremese
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Division of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Tolusso
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Cattani
- Dipartimento di Scienze di laboratorio e infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Sezione di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Di Mario
- Division of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Marchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze di laboratorio e infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Alivernini
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Tredicine
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Petricca
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivana Palucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze di laboratorio e infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Sezione di Microbiologia, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Camponeschi
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Virginia Aragon
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologies Agroalimentaries, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Andrea Gambotto
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Francesco Ria
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze di laboratorio e infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
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Kulski JK, Suzuki S, Shiina T. Haplotype Shuffling and Dimorphic Transposable Elements in the Human Extended Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Region. Front Genet 2021; 12:665899. [PMID: 34122517 PMCID: PMC8193847 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.665899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on chromosome 6p21 is one of the most single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-dense regions of the human genome and a prime model for the study and understanding of conserved sequence polymorphisms and structural diversity of ancestral haplotypes/conserved extended haplotypes. This study aimed to follow up on a previous analysis of the MHC class I region by using the same set of 95 MHC haplotype sequences downloaded from a publicly available BioProject database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information to identify and characterize the polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-class II genes, the MTCO3P1 pseudogene alleles, the indels of transposable elements as haplotypic lineage markers, and SNP-density crossover (XO) loci at haplotype junctions in DNA sequence alignments of different haplotypes across the extended class II region (∼1 Mb) from the telomeric PRRT1 gene in class III to the COL11A2 gene at the centromeric end of class II. We identified 42 haplotypic indels (20 Alu, 7 SVA, 13 LTR or MERs, and 2 indels composed of a mosaic of different transposable elements) linked to particular HLA-class II alleles. Comparative sequence analyses of 136 haplotype pairs revealed 98 unique XO sites between SNP-poor and SNP-rich genomic segments with considerable haplotype shuffling located in the proximity of putative recombination hotspots. The majority of XO sites occurred across various regions including in the vicinity of MTCO3P1 between HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DQB3, between HLA-DQB2 and HLA-DOB, between DOB and TAP2, and between HLA-DOA and HLA-DPA1, where most XOs were within a HERVK22 sequence. We also determined the genomic positions of the PRDM9-recombination suppression sequence motif ATCCATG/CATGGAT and the PRDM9 recombination activation partial binding motif CCTCCCCT/AGGGGAG in the class II region of the human reference genome (NC_ 000006) relative to published meiotic recombination positions. Both the recombination and anti-recombination PRDM9 binding motifs were widely distributed throughout the class II genomic regions with 50% or more found within repeat elements; the anti-recombination motifs were found mostly in L1 fragmented repeats. This study shows substantial haplotype shuffling between different polymorphic blocks and confirms the presence of numerous putative ancestral recombination sites across the class II region between various HLA class II genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy K Kulski
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Shingo Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Takashi Shiina
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, Division of Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
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Stearrett N, Dawson T, Rahnavard A, Bachali P, Bendall ML, Zeng C, Caricchio R, Pérez-Losada M, Grammer AC, Lipsky PE, Crandall KA. Expression of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Multiomic Integration With Gene Expression. Front Immunol 2021; 12:661437. [PMID: 33986751 PMCID: PMC8112243 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.661437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies predominantly to nuclear material. Many aspects of disease pathology are mediated by the deposition of nucleic acid containing immune complexes, which also induce the type 1interferon response, a characteristic feature of SLE. Notably, SLE is remarkably heterogeneous, with a variety of organs involved in different individuals, who also show variation in disease severity related to their ancestries. Here, we probed one potential contribution to disease heterogeneity as well as a possible source of immunoreactive nucleic acids by exploring the expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). We investigated the expression of HERVs in SLE and their potential relationship to SLE features and the expression of biochemical pathways, including the interferon gene signature (IGS). Towards this goal, we analyzed available and new RNA-Seq data from two independent whole blood studies using Telescope. We identified 481 locus specific HERV encoding regions that are differentially expressed between case and control individuals with only 14% overlap of differentially expressed HERVs between these two datasets. We identified significant differences between differentially expressed HERVs and non-differentially expressed HERVs between the two datasets. We also characterized the host differentially expressed genes and tested their association with the differentially expressed HERVs. We found that differentially expressed HERVs were significantly more physically proximal to host differentially expressed genes than non-differentially expressed HERVs. Finally, we capitalized on locus specific resolution of HERV mapping to identify key molecular pathways impacted by differential HERV expression in people with SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel Stearrett
- Computational Biology Institute, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Tyson Dawson
- Computational Biology Institute, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Ali Rahnavard
- Computational Biology Institute, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Prathyusha Bachali
- RILITE Research Institute and AMPEL BioSolutions, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Matthew L. Bendall
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Chen Zeng
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Roberto Caricchio
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marcos Pérez-Losada
- Computational Biology Institute, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
- CIBIO-InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Amrie C. Grammer
- RILITE Research Institute and AMPEL BioSolutions, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Peter E. Lipsky
- RILITE Research Institute and AMPEL BioSolutions, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Keith A. Crandall
- Computational Biology Institute, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
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9
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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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10
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El-Shehawi AM, Alotaibi SS, Elseehy MM. Genomic Study of COVID-19 Corona Virus Excludes Its Origin from Recombination or Characterized Biological Sources and Suggests a Role for HERVS in Its Wide Range Symptoms. CYTOL GENET+ 2021; 54:588-604. [PMID: 33487779 PMCID: PMC7810191 DOI: 10.3103/s0095452720060031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 corona virus has become a world pandemic which started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China with no confirmed biological source. Various countries reported the genomic sequence of different isolates obtained from infected patients. This allowed us to obtain a number of 38 isolates of full genomic sequences. Alignment of nucleotide (nt) sequence was carried out using Clustal Omega multiple alignment service at the EBI website. Alignment of nt sequence and phylogenetic relationship revealed that the COVID-19 is a new viral strain and its biological source has not been yet detected. The expected orf pattern was different among isolates obtained from the same country or different countries as well as from SARS-CoV isolates or bats CoV suggesting different virus human interaction possibilities during infection and severity. All isolates had the main five orfs (1ab, S, M, N, E), whereas they differed in the expected accessory orfs. Being with the biological source of COVID-19 undetected, the role of human endogenous retrovirus (HERVs) in the regulation of the host cell gene expression or the encoding for products that could modulate COVID-19 infection and the spectrum of its symptoms is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M El-Shehawi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099 21944 Taif, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Alexandria, 21527 Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Saqer S Alotaibi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099 21944 Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona M Elseehy
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Alexandria, 21527 Alexandria, Egypt
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11
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Xue B, Sechi LA, Kelvin DJ. Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HML-2) in Health and Disease. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1690. [PMID: 32765477 PMCID: PMC7380069 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are derived from exogenous retrovirus infections in the evolution of primates and account for about 8% of the human genome. They were considered as silent passengers within our genomes for a long time, however, reactivation of HERVs has been associated with tumors and autoimmune diseases, especially the HERV-K (HML-2) family, the most recent integration groups with the least number of mutations and the most biologically active to encode functional retroviral proteins and produce retrovirus-like particles. Increasing studies are committed to determining the potential role of HERV-K (HML-2) in pathogenicity. Although there is still no evidence for HERV-K (HML-2) as a direct cause of diseases, aberrant expression profiles of the HERV-K (HML-2) transcripts and their regulatory function to their proximal host-genes were identified in different diseases. In this review, we summarized the advances between HERV-K (HML-2) and diseases to provide basis for further studies on the causal relationship between HERV-K (HML-2) and diseases. We recommended more attention to polymorphic integrated HERV-K (HML-2) loci which could be genetic causative factors and be associated with inter-individual differences in tumorigenesis and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Xue
- Division of Immunology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Leonardo A. Sechi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - David J. Kelvin
- Division of Immunology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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12
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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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13
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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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14
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Karimi A, Esmaili N, Ranjkesh M, Zolfaghari MA. Expression of human endogenous retroviruses in pemphigus vulgaris patients. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:6181-6186. [PMID: 31473891 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05053-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Pemphigus is a severe, potentially life-threatening autoimmune blistering mucocutaneous disease which establishes with autoreactive IgG antibodies that target cellular adhesions, precisely extracellular domains of keratinocyte proteins. Several genetic and environmental elements are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. The extent to which the initiation and progress of this autoimmune blistering disease may be influenced by the expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the expression of HERV groups (K, W, and H) in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients in comparison to controls. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 24 PV patients and the corresponding age- and sex-matched healthy controls to extract total RNA for evaluation of HERV-K (HML-2), HERV-W, and HERV-H, env gene expression profile by qPCR. The mRNA expression level of HERV-K, HERV-W, and HERV-H were significantly upregulated in PV patients in comparison to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). The difference in expression of studied HERVs groups between men and women was no significant (P > 0.05). Although rituximab taking patients had a decreased expression level of studied HERVs, the results were not significant (P > 0.05). According to our obtained data, HERVs expression could be measured as a possible diagnostic tool for detection of PV and monitoring of the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Karimi
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Nafiseh Esmaili
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammadreza Ranjkesh
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Zolfaghari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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15
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Li W, Lin L, Malhotra R, Yang L, Acharya R, Poss M. A computational framework to assess genome-wide distribution of polymorphic human endogenous retrovirus-K In human populations. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006564. [PMID: 30921327 PMCID: PMC6456218 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retrovirus type K (HERV-K) is the only HERV known to be insertionally polymorphic; not all individuals have a retrovirus at a specific genomic location. It is possible that HERV-Ks contribute to human disease because people differ in both number and genomic location of these retroviruses. Indeed viral transcripts, proteins, and antibody against HERV-K are detected in cancers, auto-immune, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, attempts to link a polymorphic HERV-K with any disease have been frustrated in part because population prevalence of HERV-K provirus at each polymorphic site is lacking and it is challenging to identify closely related elements such as HERV-K from short read sequence data. We present an integrated and computationally robust approach that uses whole genome short read data to determine the occupation status at all sites reported to contain a HERV-K provirus. Our method estimates the proportion of fixed length genomic sequence (k-mers) from whole genome sequence data matching a reference set of k-mers unique to each HERV-K locus and applies mixture model-based clustering of these values to account for low depth sequence data. Our analysis of 1000 Genomes Project Data (KGP) reveals numerous differences among the five KGP super-populations in the prevalence of individual and co-occurring HERV-K proviruses; we provide a visualization tool to easily depict the proportion of the KGP populations with any combination of polymorphic HERV-K provirus. Further, because HERV-K is insertionally polymorphic, the genome burden of known polymorphic HERV-K is variable in humans; this burden is lowest in East Asian (EAS) individuals. Our study identifies population-specific sequence variation for HERV-K proviruses at several loci. We expect these resources will advance research on HERV-K contributions to human diseases. Human Endogenous Retrovirus type K (HERV-K) is the youngest of retrovirus families in the human genome and is the only group of endogenous retroviruses that has polymorphic members; a locus containing a HERV-K can be occupied in one individual but empty in others. HERV-Ks could contribute to disease risk or pathogenesis but linking one of the known polymorphic HERV-K to a specific disease has been difficult. We develop an easy to use method that reveals the considerable variation existing among global populations in the prevalence of individual and co-occurring polymorphic HERV-K, and in the number of HERV-K that any individual has in their genome. Our study provides a reference of diversity for the currently known polymorphic HERV-K in global populations and tools needed to determine the profile of all known polymorphic HERV-K in the genome of any patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Li
- The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Raunaq Malhotra
- The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
| | - Raj Acharya
- The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
- School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| | - Mary Poss
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Cross-reactivity between myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and human endogenous retrovirus W protein: nanotechnological evidence for the potential trigger of multiple sclerosis. Micron 2019; 120:66-73. [PMID: 30802755 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune and inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Experimental evidence supports the reactivity of autoantibodies against components of myelin sheath including the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). The MS etiology is still unknown, but some risk factors associated with immune dysregulation, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors are under investigation. The last consider the hypothesis of molecular mimicry mechanism, which is potentially triggered by viral antigen inducing MS autoimmunity. The Human Endogenous Retroviruses W family (HERV-W) is the subject of studies within this field, based on the detection of HERV-W envelope gene proteins in MS patients' samples. In the biomedical field of diagnosis and therapeutics, nanotechnology is of great use for the detailed study of molecular mechanisms involving specific interactions between biomolecules providing high specificity and sensitivity of response. In view of the significance of etiological aspects for the comprehension of MS mechanisms of action, we applied a nanotechnological approach designed for antibody detection. For this, we analyzed MOG peptide sequences similar to the HERV-W protein. These sequences were subjected to interaction with anti-HERV-W antibodies using atomic force spectroscopy (AFS) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) methods to survey the potential occurrence of molecular mimicry. Our results revealed the molecular recognition between the anti-HERV-W antibody and the HERV-W and MOG epitopes by AFS and AgNPs approaches. Specific non-linear shape of force curves and median adhesion force values within the expected range for an antigen-antibody interaction were obtained for HERV-W and MOG peptides, 163 pN and 178 pN, respectively, suggesting the occurrence of cross-reactivity in these systems.
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17
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Zhang M, Liang JQ, Zheng S. Expressional activation and functional roles of human endogenous retroviruses in cancers. Rev Med Virol 2019; 29:e2025. [PMID: 30614117 PMCID: PMC6590502 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are widely believed to be remnants of ancestral germ line infections by exogenous retroviruses. Although HERVs are deemed as “nonfunctional DNAs” due to loss of most of their viral protein coding capacity during evolution as part of the human genome, cumulative evidences are showing the expressional activation and potential roles of HERVs in diseases especially cancers. Work by other researchers and us has observed the dysregulation of HERVs in cancers, identified new HERV‐related genes, and revealed their potential importance in cancer development. Here, we summarized the current knowledge on the mechanisms of the expressional activation and functional roles of HERVs, with a focus on the H family HERV (HERV‐H), in carcinogenesis. HERV expression is regulated by external chemical or physical substances and exogenous virus infection, as well as host factors such as epigenetic DNA methylation, transcription factors, cytokines, and small RNAs. Diverse roles of HERVs have been proposed by acting in the forms of noncoding RNAs, proteins, and transcriptional regulators during carcinogenesis. However, much remains to be learnt about the contributions of HERVs to human cancers. More investigation is warranted to elucidate the functions of these “fossil remnants” yet important viral DNAs in the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwen Zhang
- The Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jessie Qiaoyi Liang
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shu Zheng
- Cancer Institute, Second Affiliated Hospital, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,The Department of surgical oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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18
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Abstract
Senescence, a state of permanent cell cycle arrest, can be induced by DNA damage. This process, which was initially described in fibroblasts, is now recognized to occur in stem cells. It has been well characterized in cell lines, but there is currently very limited data available on human senescence in vivo. We recently reported that the expression of transposable elements (TE), including endogenous retroviruses, was up-regulated along with inflammatory genes in human senescent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in vivo. The mechanism of regulation of TE expression is not completely understood, but changes in DNA methylation and chromatin modifications are known to alter their expression. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms for TE up-regulation after senescence of HSPCs, we employed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing in paired senescent and active human HSPCs in vivo from healthy subjects. We found that the senescent HSPCs exhibited hypomethylated regions in the genome, which were enriched for TEs. This is the first report characterizing the methylome of senescent human HSPCs.
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19
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Grandi N, Tramontano E. Human Endogenous Retroviruses Are Ancient Acquired Elements Still Shaping Innate Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2039. [PMID: 30250470 PMCID: PMC6139349 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
About 8% of our genome is composed of sequences with viral origin, namely human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs). HERVs are relics of ancient infections that affected the primates' germ line along the last 100 million of years, and became stable elements at the interface between self and foreign DNA. Intriguingly, HERV co-evolution with the host led to the domestication of activities previously devoted to the retrovirus life cycle, providing novel cellular functions. For example, selected HERV envelope proteins have been coopted for pregnancy-related purposes, and proviral Long Terminal Repeats participate in the transcriptional regulation of various cellular genes. Given the HERV persistence in the host genome and its basal expression in most healthy tissues, it is reasonable that human defenses should prevent HERV-mediated immune activation. Despite this, HERVs and their products (including RNA, cytosolic DNA, and proteins) are still able to modulate and be influenced by the host immune system, fascinatingly suggesting a central role in the evolution and functioning of the human innate immunity. Indeed, HERV sequences had been major contributors in shaping and expanding the interferon network, dispersing inducible genes that have been occasionally domesticated in various mammalian lineages. Also the HERV integration within or near to genes encoding for critical immune factors has been shown to influence their activity, or to be responsible for their polymorphic variation in the human population, such as in the case of an HERV-K(HML10) provirus in the major histocompatibility complex region. In addition, HERV expressed products have been shown to modulate innate immunity effectors, being therefore often related on the one side to inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, while on the other side to the control of excessive immune activation through their immunosuppressive properties. Finally, HERVs have been proposed to establish a protective effect against exogenous infections. The present review summarizes the involvement of HERVs and their products in innate immune responses, describing how their intricate interplay with the first line of human defenses can actively contribute either to the host protection or to his damage, implying a subtle balance between the persistence of HERV expression and the maintenance of a basal immune alert.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cagliari, Italy
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20
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Kawasaki J, Nishigaki K. Tracking the Continuous Evolutionary Processes of an Endogenous Retrovirus of the Domestic Cat: ERV-DC. Viruses 2018; 10:v10040179. [PMID: 29642384 PMCID: PMC5923473 DOI: 10.3390/v10040179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
An endogenous retrovirus (ERV) is a remnant of an ancient retroviral infection in the host genome. Although most ERVs have lost their viral productivity, a few ERVs retain their replication capacity. In addition, partially inactivated ERVs can present a potential risk to the host via their encoded virulence factors or the generation of novel viruses by viral recombination. ERVs can also eventually acquire a biological function, and this ability has been a driving force of host evolution. Therefore, the presence of an ERV can be harmful or beneficial to the host. Various reports about paleovirology have revealed each event in ERV evolution, but the continuous processes of ERV evolution over millions of years are mainly unknown. A unique ERV family, ERV-DC, is present in the domestic cat (Felis silvestriscatus) genome. ERV-DC proviruses are phylogenetically classified into three genotypes, and the specific characteristics of each genotype have been clarified: their capacity to produce infectious viruses; their recombination with other retroviruses, such as feline leukemia virus or RD-114; and their biological functions as host antiviral factors. In this review, we describe ERV-DC-related phenomena and discuss the continuous changes in the evolution of this ERV in the domestic cat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junna Kawasaki
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
| | - Kazuo Nishigaki
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan.
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21
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Grandi N, Tramontano E. HERV Envelope Proteins: Physiological Role and Pathogenic Potential in Cancer and Autoimmunity. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:462. [PMID: 29593697 PMCID: PMC5861771 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 140] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are relics of ancient infections accounting for about the 8% of our genome. Despite their persistence in human DNA led to the accumulation of mutations, HERVs are still contributing to the human transcriptome, and a growing number of findings suggests that their expression products may have a role in various diseases. Among HERV products, the envelope proteins (Env) are currently highly investigated for their pathogenic properties, which could likely be participating to several disorders with complex etiology, particularly in the contexts of autoimmunity and cancer. In fact, HERV Env proteins have been shown, on the one side, to trigger both innate and adaptive immunity, prompting inflammatory, cytotoxic and apoptotic reactions; and, on the other side, to prevent the immune response activation, presenting immunosuppressive properties and acting as immune downregulators. In addition, HERV Env proteins have been shown to induce abnormal cell-cell fusion, possibly contributing to tumor development and metastasizing processes. Remarkably, even highly defective HERV env genes and alternative env splicing variants can provide further mechanisms of pathogenesis. A well-known example is the HERV-K(HML2) env gene that, depending on the presence or the absence of a 292-bp deletion, can originate two proteins of different length (Np9 and Rec) proposed to have oncogenic properties. The understanding of their involvement in complex pathological disorders made HERV Env proteins potential targets for therapeutic interventions. Of note, a monoclonal antibody directed against a HERV-W Env is currently under clinical trial as therapeutic approach for multiple sclerosis, representing the first HERV-based treatment. The present review will focus on the current knowledge of the HERV Env expression, summarizing its role in human physiology and its possible pathogenic effects in various cancer and autoimmune disorders. It moreover analyzes HERV Env possible exploitation for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cagliari, Italy
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22
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Lättekivi F, Kõks S, Keermann M, Reimann E, Prans E, Abram K, Silm H, Kõks G, Kingo K. Transcriptional landscape of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and other repetitive elements in psoriatic skin. Sci Rep 2018. [PMID: 29531256 PMCID: PMC5847543 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22734-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) sequences make up at least 8% of the human genome. Transcripts originating from these loci as well as proteins encoded by them have been detected in various tissues. HERVs are believed to be implicated in autoimmune diseases, however the extent to which, has remained unclear. Differential expression studies have so far been limited to certain HERV subfamilies with conserved sequences. No studies have been published describing the genome-wide expression pattern of HERVs and repetitive elements in the context of psoriasis. In the present study, we analysed total RNA sequencing data from skin samples of 12 psoriasis patients and 12 healthy controls, which enabled us to describe the entire transcriptional landscape of repetitive elements. We report high levels of repetitive element expression in the skin of psoriasis patients as well as healthy controls. The majority of differentially expressed elements were downregulated in lesional and non-lesional skin, suggesting active HERV suppression in the pro-inflammatory environment of psoriatic skin. However, we also report upregulation of a small subset of HERVs previously described in the context of autoimmune diseases, such as members of the HERV-K and W families, with the potential to affect the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy Lättekivi
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sulev Kõks
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. .,Department of Reproductive Biology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Maris Keermann
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Clinic of Dermatology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ene Reimann
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ele Prans
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kristi Abram
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Clinic of Dermatology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Helgi Silm
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Clinic of Dermatology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Gea Kõks
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Külli Kingo
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Clinic of Dermatology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
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23
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Grandi N, Cadeddu M, Blomberg J, Mayer J, Tramontano E. HERV-W group evolutionary history in non-human primates: characterization of ERV-W orthologs in Catarrhini and related ERV groups in Platyrrhini. BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:6. [PMID: 29351742 PMCID: PMC5775608 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1125-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [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: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genomes of all vertebrates harbor remnants of ancient retroviral infections, having affected the germ line cells during the last 100 million years. These sequences, named Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs), have been transmitted to the offspring in a Mendelian way, being relatively stable components of the host genome even long after their exogenous counterparts went extinct. Among human ERVs (HERVs), the HERV-W group is of particular interest for our physiology and pathology. A HERV-W provirus in locus 7q21.2 has been coopted during evolution to exert an essential role in placenta, and the group expression has been tentatively linked to Multiple Sclerosis and other diseases. Following up on a detailed analysis of 213 HERV-W insertions in the human genome, we now investigated the ERV-W group genomic spread within primate lineages. RESULTS We analyzed HERV-W orthologous loci in the genome sequences of 12 non-human primate species belonging to Simiiformes (parvorders Catarrhini and Platyrrhini), Tarsiiformes and to the most primitive Prosimians. Analysis of HERV-W orthologous loci in non-human Catarrhini primates revealed species-specific insertions in the genomes of Chimpanzee (3), Gorilla (4), Orangutan (6), Gibbon (2) and especially Rhesus Macaque (66). Such sequences were acquired in a retroviral fashion and, in the majority of cases, by L1-mediated formation of processed pseudogenes. There were also a number of LTR-LTR homologous recombination events that occurred subsequent to separation of Catarrhini sub-lineages. Moreover, we retrieved 130 sequences in Marmoset and Squirrel Monkeys (family Cebidae, Platyrrhini parvorder), identified as ERV1-1_CJa based on RepBase annotations, which appear closely related to the ERV-W group. Such sequences were also identified in Atelidae and Pitheciidae, representative of the other Platyrrhini families. In contrast, no ERV-W-related sequences were found in genome sequence assemblies of Tarsiiformes and Prosimians. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our analysis now provides a detailed picture of the ERV-W sequences colonization of the primate lineages genomes, revealing the exact dynamics of ERV-W locus formations as well as novel insights into the evolution and origin of the group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marta Cadeddu
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jonas Blomberg
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jens Mayer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), CNR, Monserrato, Italy
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24
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Lemonidis K, MacLeod R, Baillie GS, Chamberlain LH. Peptide array-based screening reveals a large number of proteins interacting with the ankyrin-repeat domain of the zDHHC17 S-acyltransferase. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:17190-17202. [PMID: 28882895 PMCID: PMC5655499 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.799650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
zDHHC S-acyltransferases are enzymes catalyzing protein S-acylation, a common post-translational modification on proteins frequently affecting their membrane targeting and trafficking. The ankyrin repeat (AR) domain of zDHHC17 (HIP14) and zDHHC13 (HIP14L) S-acyltransferases, which is involved in both substrate recruitment and S-acylation-independent functions, was recently shown to bind at least six proteins, by specific recognition of a consensus sequence in them. To further refine the rules governing binding to the AR of zDHHC17, we employed peptide arrays based on zDHHC AR-binding motif (zDABM) sequences of synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25) and cysteine string protein α (CSPα). Quantitative comparisons of the binding preferences of 400 peptides allowed us to construct a position-specific scoring matrix (PSSM) for zDHHC17 AR binding, with which we predicted and subsequently validated many putative zDHHC17 interactors. We identified 95 human zDABM sequences with unexpected versatility in amino acid usage; these sequences were distributed among 90 proteins, of which 62 have not been previously implicated in zDHHC17/13 binding. These zDABM-containing proteins included all family members of the SNAP25, sprouty, cornifelin, ankyrin, and SLAIN-motif containing families; seven endogenous Gag polyproteins sharing the same binding sequence; and several proteins involved in cytoskeletal organization, cell communication, and regulation of signaling. A dozen of the zDABM-containing proteins had more than one zDABM sequence, whereas isoform-specific binding to the AR of zDHHC17 was identified for the Ena/VASP-like protein. The large number of zDABM sequences within the human proteome suggests that zDHHC17 may be an interaction hub regulating many cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimon Lemonidis
- From The Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, 161 Cathedral Street, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE and
| | - Ruth MacLeod
- the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Link Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - George S Baillie
- the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Link Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Luke H Chamberlain
- From The Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, 161 Cathedral Street, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE and
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25
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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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26
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Abstract
Viruses must establish an intimate relationship with their hosts and vectors in order to infect, replicate, and disseminate; hence, viruses can be considered as symbionts with their hosts. Symbiotic relationships encompass different lifestyles, including antagonistic (or pathogenic, the most well-studied lifestyle for viruses), commensal (probably the most common lifestyle), and mutualistic (important beneficial partners). Symbiotic relationships can shape the evolution of the partners in a holobiont, and placing viruses in this context provides an important framework for understanding virus-host relationships and virus ecology. Although antagonistic relationships are thought to lead to coevolution, this is not always clear in virus-host interactions, and impacts on evolution may be complex. Commensalism implies a hitchhiking role for viruses-selfish elements just along for the ride. Mutualistic relationships have been described in detail in the past decade, and they reveal how important viruses are in considering host ecology. Ultimately, symbiosis can lead to symbiogenesis, or speciation through fusion, and the presence of large amounts of viral sequence in the genomes of everything from bacteria to humans, including some important functional genes, illustrates the significance of viral symbiogenesis in the evolution of all life on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn J Roossinck
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802;
| | - Edelio R Bazán
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802;
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27
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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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28
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Mameli G, Erre GL, Caggiu E, Mura S, Cossu D, Bo M, Cadoni ML, Piras A, Mundula N, Colombo E, Buscetta G, Passiu G, Sechi LA. Identification of a HERV-K env surface peptide highly recognized in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients: a cross-sectional case-control study. Clin Exp Immunol 2017; 189:127-131. [PMID: 28324619 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (HERV) are believed to be pathogenic in several autoimmune diseases. Among them, HERV-K viruses have been reported recently to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we have explored the role of humoral immune response against HERV-K as a potential pathogenetic mechanism in RA. Four different peptides from the extracellular portion of the env protein of HERV-K (env-su19-37 , env-su109-126 , env-su164-186 , env-su209-226 ) were selected by bioinformatic analysis on the basis of their putative immunogenicity. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was then carried out to quantify antibodies against those peptides on blood samples of 70 consecutive RA patients and 71 healthy controls (HC). Differences between the two groups were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test. Potential correlations between RA laboratory, clinical descriptors and immunoglobulin (Ig)G levels were explored by bivariate regression analysis. Serum autoantibodies against one of four tested peptides of HERV-K (env-su19-37 ) were significantly higher in RA than in HC (19 versus 3%, P = 0·0025). Subgroup analysis showed no association between anti-HERV-K peptide humoral response and clinical, serological and clinimetric RA disease descriptors. Serum from RA patients in our series reacted significantly against HERV-K env-su19-37 peptide in comparison to the general population suggesting a role for the HERV-K- related, secondary antigenic-driven immune response in the pathogenesis of RA. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to explore the role of this HERV-K surface peptide as a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Mameli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Microbiologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G L Erre
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Cattedra e Unità di Reumatologia, Università e AOU di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - E Caggiu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Microbiologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - S Mura
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Cattedra e Unità di Reumatologia, Università e AOU di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - D Cossu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Microbiologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - M Bo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Microbiologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - M L Cadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Microbiologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - A Piras
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Cattedra e Unità di Reumatologia, Università e AOU di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - N Mundula
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Cattedra e Unità di Reumatologia, Università e AOU di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - E Colombo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Cattedra e Unità di Reumatologia, Università e AOU di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Buscetta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Cattedra e Unità di Reumatologia, Università e AOU di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Passiu
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Cattedra e Unità di Reumatologia, Università e AOU di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - L A Sechi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Microbiologia Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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29
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Medina J, Perron H. [DNA sequences from mobile genetic elements, a hidden half of the human genome]. Med Sci (Paris) 2017; 33:151-158. [PMID: 28240206 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20173302010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Current data estimate that mobile genetic elements represent more than one-half of the human genome. The literature is constantly updating data following the evolution of sequencing techniques and of algorithms for genome analyses. This review aims to provide an overview of the topic showing the complexity given by the various designations and classifications found in scientific papers. A particular focus is made on retrotransposons, including Endogenous RetroViruses (ERV), to introduce a second article focusing on their activation and their involvement in physiological functions and/or pathological mechanisms associated with diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Medina
- GeNeuro Innovation, Bioparc Laënnec, 60, avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Hervé Perron
- GeNeuro Innovation, Bioparc Laënnec, 60, avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France - GeNeuro, 18, chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Genève, Suisse - Université Lyon-1, Faculté de Médecine Laënnec, 69008 Lyon, France
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