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Wang YN, Chen XL, Yang J, Gong XX, Zhang HF, Zhang YM, Zeng DF, Chen PS, Chen HB. Reduced syncytin-1 regulates trophoblast invasion and apoptosis in preeclampsia. Placenta 2024; 155:32-41. [PMID: 39121585 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.07.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder characterized by de novo development of hypertension and proteinuria over 20 weeks gestation that has been associated with the dysfunction of trophoblasts. Current evidence suggests that syncytin-1 plays an important role in the non-fusogenic biological activity of trophoblasts, except for specific fusogenic function. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. METHODS The expression and location of syncytin-1 in normal and the late-onset preeclampsia placentas were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence. Morphological and apoptosis analysis were processed in placentas. The ex vivo extravillous explant culture model was used to explore the effect of syncytin-1 on EVT outgrowths. Real-time quantitative PCR and immunoblotting were used to calculate syncytin-1 levels in the trophoblast cells before and after syncytin-1 knockdown or overexpression. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell viability. TUNEL staining and immunoblotting were processed in trophoblast cells. Transwell assays and wound healing assays were utilize to assess the invasion and migration of trophoblastic cells. Conditional knockout of syncytin-a mouse model was conducted to present the change of placentas in vivo. The ex vivo extravillous explant culture model was used to explore the effect of syncytin-1 on EVT outgrowths. Western blotting was used to identify the key proteins of PI3K/Akt pathways and invasion-related proteins in trophoblast cells. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Here, reduced syncytin-1 was identified in the late-onset preeclampsia placentas. Reduced syncytin-1 may attenuates the EMT process by promoting apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation and invasion by suppressed PI3K/Akt pathway in trophoblast cells. Our findings provide novel insights into the non-fusogenic biological function of reduced syncytin-1 that may be involves in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, China
| | - Xue-Ling Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, China
| | - Ju Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, China
| | - Xing-Xing Gong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, China
| | - Hai-Feng Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, China
| | - Yan-Mei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, China
| | - Dan-Feng Zeng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, China
| | - Pei-Shan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, China.
| | - Hai-Bin Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, China
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da Silva AL, Guedes BLM, Santos SN, Correa GF, Nardy A, Nali LHDS, Bachi ALL, Romano CM. Beyond pathogens: the intriguing genetic legacy of endogenous retroviruses in host physiology. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1379962. [PMID: 38655281 PMCID: PMC11035796 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1379962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The notion that viruses played a crucial role in the evolution of life is not a new concept. However, more recent insights suggest that this perception might be even more expansive, highlighting the ongoing impact of viruses on host evolution. Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are considered genomic remnants of ancient viral infections acquired throughout vertebrate evolution. Their exogenous counterparts once infected the host's germline cells, eventually leading to the permanent endogenization of their respective proviruses. The success of ERV colonization is evident so that it constitutes 8% of the human genome. Emerging genomic studies indicate that endogenous retroviruses are not merely remnants of past infections but rather play a corollary role, despite not fully understood, in host genetic regulation. This review presents some evidence supporting the crucial role of endogenous retroviruses in regulating host genetics. We explore the involvement of human ERVs (HERVs) in key physiological processes, from their precise and orchestrated activities during cellular differentiation and pluripotency to their contributions to aging and cellular senescence. Additionally, we discuss the costs associated with hosting a substantial amount of preserved viral genetic material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Lopes da Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Luiz Miranda Guedes
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samuel Nascimento Santos
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Francisco Correa
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ariane Nardy
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andre Luis Lacerda Bachi
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Malta Romano
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Wang J, Lu X, Zhang W, Liu GH. Endogenous retroviruses in development and health. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:342-354. [PMID: 37802660 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are evolutionary remnants of retroviral infections in which the viral genome became embedded as a dormant regulatory element within the host germline. When ERVs become activated, they comprehensively rewire genomic regulatory networks of the host and facilitate critical developmental events, such as preimplantation development and placentation, in a manner specific to species, developmental stage, and tissues. However, accumulating evidence suggests that aberrant ERV transcription compromises genome stability and has been implicated in cellular senescence and various pathogenic processes, underscoring the significance of host genomic surveillance mechanisms. Here, we revisit the prominent functions of ERVs in early development and highlight their emerging roles in mammalian post-implantation development and organogenesis. We also discuss their implications for aging and pathological processes such as microbial infection, immune response. Furthermore, we discuss recent advances in stem-cell-based models, single-cell omics, and genome editing technologies, which serve as beacons illuminating the versatile nature of ERVs in mammalian development and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jichang Wang
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China; Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Xinyi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Weiqi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics and China National Center for Bioinformation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Guang-Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.
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Chen C, Zhang Y, Yao X, Li S, Wang G, Huang Y, Yang Y, Zhang A, Liu C, Zhu D, Li H, Yan Q, Ma W. Characterizations of the Gut Bacteriome, Mycobiome, and Virome in Patients with Osteoarthritis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0171122. [PMID: 36515546 PMCID: PMC9927108 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01711-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota plays an essential role in the regulation of the immune system and the etiology of human autoimmune diseases. However, a holistic understanding of the gut bacteriome, mycobiome, and virome in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) remains lacking. Here, we explored the gut microbiotas of 44 OA patients and 46 healthy volunteers via deep whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing of their fecal samples. The gut bacteriome and mycobiome were analyzed using a reference-based strategy. Gut viruses were identified from the metagenomic assembled contigs, and the gut virome was profiled based on 6,567 nonredundant viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs). We revealed that the gut microbiome (including bacteriome, mycobiome, and virome) of OA patients is fundamentally altered, characterized by a panel of 279 differentially abundant bacterial species, 10 fungal species, and 627 vOTUs. The representative OA-enriched bacteria included Anaerostipes hadrus (GENOME147149), Prevotella sp900313215 (GENOME08259), Eubacterium_E hallii (GENOME000299), and Blautia A (GENOME001004), while Bacteroides plebeius A (GENOME239725), Roseburia inulinivorans (GENOME 001770), Dialister sp900343095 (GENOME075103), Phascolarctobacterium faecium (GENOME233517), and several members of Faecalibacterium and Prevotella were depleted in OA patients. Fungi such as Debaryomyces fabryi (GenBank accession no. GCA_003708665), Candida parapsilosis (GCA_000182765), and Apophysomyces trapeziformis (GCA_000696975) were enriched in the OA gut microbiota, and Malassezia restricta (GCA_003290485), Aspergillus fumigatus (GCA_003069565), and Mucor circinelloides (GCA_010203745) were depleted. The OA-depleted viruses spanned Siphoviridae (95 vOTUs), Myoviridae (70 vOTUs), and Microviridae (5 vOTUs), while 30 Siphoviridae vOTUs were enriched in OA patients. Functional analysis of the gut bacteriome and virome also uncovered their functional signatures in relation to OA. Moreover, we demonstrated that the OA-associated gut bacterial and viral signatures are tightly interconnected, suggesting that they may impact disease together. Finally, we showed that the multikingdom signatures are effective in discriminating the OA patients from healthy controls, suggesting the potential of gut microbiota for the prediction of OA and related diseases. Our results delineated the fecal bacteriome, mycobiome, and virome landscapes of the OA microbiota and provided biomarkers that will aid in future mechanistic and clinical intervention studies. IMPORTANCE The gut microbiome of OA patients was completely altered compared to that in healthy individuals, including 279 differentially abundant bacterial species, 10 fungal species and 627 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs). Functional analysis of the gut bacteriome and virome also revealed their functional signatures in relation to OA. We found that OA-associated gut bacterial and viral signatures were tightly interconnected, indicating that they may affect the disease together. The OA patients can be discriminated effectively from healthy controls using the multikingdom signatures, suggesting the potential of gut microbiota for the prediction of OA and related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changming Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Puensum Genetech Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Xueming Yao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | | | - Guangyang Wang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yutao Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | | | - Can Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Hufan Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Qiulong Yan
- Department of Microbiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Wukai Ma
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
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Rauner M, Foessl I, Formosa MM, Kague E, Prijatelj V, Lopez NA, Banerjee B, Bergen D, Busse B, Calado Â, Douni E, Gabet Y, Giralt NG, Grinberg D, Lovsin NM, Solan XN, Ostanek B, Pavlos NJ, Rivadeneira F, Soldatovic I, van de Peppel J, van der Eerden B, van Hul W, Balcells S, Marc J, Reppe S, Søe K, Karasik D. Perspective of the GEMSTONE Consortium on Current and Future Approaches to Functional Validation for Skeletal Genetic Disease Using Cellular, Molecular and Animal-Modeling Techniques. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:731217. [PMID: 34938269 PMCID: PMC8686830 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.731217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The availability of large human datasets for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and the advancement of sequencing technologies have boosted the identification of genetic variants in complex and rare diseases in the skeletal field. Yet, interpreting results from human association studies remains a challenge. To bridge the gap between genetic association and causality, a systematic functional investigation is necessary. Multiple unknowns exist for putative causal genes, including cellular localization of the molecular function. Intermediate traits ("endophenotypes"), e.g. molecular quantitative trait loci (molQTLs), are needed to identify mechanisms of underlying associations. Furthermore, index variants often reside in non-coding regions of the genome, therefore challenging for interpretation. Knowledge of non-coding variance (e.g. ncRNAs), repetitive sequences, and regulatory interactions between enhancers and their target genes is central for understanding causal genes in skeletal conditions. Animal models with deep skeletal phenotyping and cell culture models have already facilitated fine mapping of some association signals, elucidated gene mechanisms, and revealed disease-relevant biology. However, to accelerate research towards bridging the current gap between association and causality in skeletal diseases, alternative in vivo platforms need to be used and developed in parallel with the current -omics and traditional in vivo resources. Therefore, we argue that as a field we need to establish resource-sharing standards to collectively address complex research questions. These standards will promote data integration from various -omics technologies and functional dissection of human complex traits. In this mission statement, we review the current available resources and as a group propose a consensus to facilitate resource sharing using existing and future resources. Such coordination efforts will maximize the acquisition of knowledge from different approaches and thus reduce redundancy and duplication of resources. These measures will help to understand the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and other skeletal diseases towards defining new and more efficient therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Rauner
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ines Foessl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Endocrine Lab Platform, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Melissa M. Formosa
- Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Erika Kague
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Vid Prijatelj
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- The Generation R Study, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nerea Alonso Lopez
- Rheumatology and Bone Disease Unit, CGEM, Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC), Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Bodhisattwa Banerjee
- Musculoskeletal Genetics Laboratory, Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Dylan Bergen
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Björn Busse
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ângelo Calado
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eleni Douni
- Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Institute for Bioinnovation, B.S.R.C. “Alexander Fleming”, Vari, Greece
| | - Yankel Gabet
- Department of Anatomy & Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Natalia García Giralt
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Grinberg
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBERER, IBUB, IRSJD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nika M. Lovsin
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Xavier Nogues Solan
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Barbara Ostanek
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nathan J. Pavlos
- Bone Biology & Disease Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | | | - Ivan Soldatovic
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Informatic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jeroen van de Peppel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bram van der Eerden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Wim van Hul
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Susanna Balcells
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBERER, IBUB, IRSJD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Janja Marc
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sjur Reppe
- Unger-Vetlesen Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kent Søe
- Clinical Cell Biology, Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - David Karasik
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Marcus Research Institute, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, United States
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Kubota S, Ishikawa T, Kawata K, Hattori T, Nishida T. Retrotransposons Manipulating Mammalian Skeletal Development in Chondrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21051564. [PMID: 32106563 PMCID: PMC7084347 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrotransposons are genetic elements that copy and paste themselves in the host genome through transcription, reverse-transcription, and integration processes. Along with their proliferation in the genome, retrotransposons inevitably modify host genes around the integration sites, and occasionally create novel genes. Even now, a number of retrotransposons are still actively editing our genomes. As such, their profound role in the evolution of mammalian genomes is obvious; thus, their contribution to mammalian skeletal evolution and development is also unquestionable. In mammals, most of the skeletal parts are formed and grown through a process entitled endochondral ossification, in which chondrocytes play central roles. In this review, current knowledge on the evolutional, physiological, and pathological roles of retrotransposons in mammalian chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage development is summarized. The possible biological impact of these mobile genetic elements in the future is also discussed.
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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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Matteucci C, Balestrieri E, Argaw-Denboba A, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P. Human endogenous retroviruses role in cancer cell stemness. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:17-30. [PMID: 30317035 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence are still the critical issues of oncological diseases. In this scenario, increasing scientific evidences demonstrate that the activation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) is involved in the aggressiveness of tumors such as melanoma, breast, germ cell, renal, ovarian, liver and haematological cancers. In their dynamic regulation, HERVs have also proved to be important determinants of pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and of the reprogramming process of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In many types of tumors, essential characteristics of aggressiveness have been associated with the achievement of stemness features, often accompanied with the identification of defined subpopulations, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), which possess stem cell-like properties and sustain tumorigenesis. Indeed, CSCs show high self-renewal capacity with a peculiar potential in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, heterogeneity, recurrence, radiotherapy and drug resistance. However, HERVs role in CSCs biology is still not fully elucidated. In this regard, CD133 is a widely recognized marker of CSCs, and our group demonstrated, for the first time, the requirement of HERV-K activation to expand and maintain a CD133+ melanoma cell subpopulation with stemness features in response to microenvironmental modifications. The review will discuss HERVs expression as cancer hallmark, with particular focus on their role in the regulation of cancer stemness features and the potential involvement as targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ayele Argaw-Denboba
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
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Chondrocytes Contribute to Alphaviral Disease Pathogenesis as a Source of Virus Replication and Soluble Factor Production. Viruses 2018; 10:v10020086. [PMID: 29462879 PMCID: PMC5850393 DOI: 10.3390/v10020086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Arthritogenic alphavirus infections often result in debilitating musculoskeletal disorders that affect the joints, muscle, and bone. In order to evaluate the infection profile of primary human skeletal muscle and chondrocyte cells to Ross River virus (RRV) in vitro, cells were infected at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1 over a period of two days. Viral titers were determined by plaque assay and cytokine expression by Bio-Plex® assays using the supernatants harvested. Gene expression studies were conducted using total RNA isolated from cells. Firstly, we show that RRV RNA is detected in chondrocytes from infected mice in vivo. Both human primary skeletal muscle and chondrocyte cells are able to support productive RRV infection in vitro. We also report the production of soluble host factors including the upregulation of heparanase (HPSE) and inflammatory host factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), which are also present during clinical disease in humans. Our study is the first to demonstrate that human chondrocyte cells are permissive to RRV infection, support the production of infectious virus, and produce soluble factors including HPSE, which may contribute to joint degradation and the pathogenesis of disease.
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Iolascon G, Gimigliano F, Moretti A, de Sire A, Migliore A, Brandi M, Piscitelli P. Early osteoarthritis: How to define, diagnose, and manage. A systematic review. Eur Geriatr Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurger.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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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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Buzdin AA, Prassolov V, Garazha AV. Friends-Enemies: Endogenous Retroviruses Are Major Transcriptional Regulators of Human DNA. Front Chem 2017. [PMID: 28642863 PMCID: PMC5462908 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2017.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses are mobile genetic elements hardly distinguishable from infectious, or “exogenous,” retroviruses at the time of insertion in the host DNA. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are not rare. They gave rise to multiple families of closely related mobile elements that occupy ~8% of the human genome. Together, they shape genomic regulatory landscape by providing at least ~320,000 human transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) located on ~110,000 individual HERV elements. The HERVs host as many as 155,000 mapped DNaseI hypersensitivity sites, which denote loci active in the regulation of gene expression or chromatin structure. The contemporary view of the HERVs evolutionary dynamics suggests that at the early stages after insertion, the HERV is treated by the host cells as a foreign genetic element, and is likely to be suppressed by the targeted methylation and mutations. However, at the later stages, when significant number of mutations has been already accumulated and when the retroviral genes are broken, the regulatory potential of a HERV may be released and recruited to modify the genomic balance of transcription factor binding sites. This process goes together with further accumulation and selection of mutations, which reshape the regulatory landscape of the human DNA. However, developmental reprogramming, stress or pathological conditions like cancer, inflammation and infectious diseases, can remove the blocks limiting expression and HERV-mediated host gene regulation. This, in turn, can dramatically alter the gene expression equilibrium and shift it to a newer state, thus further amplifying instability and exacerbating the stressful situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton A Buzdin
- Department of Cell Biology, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of SciencesMoscow, Russia.,Centre for Convergence of Nano-, Bio-, Information and Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute,"Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Prassolov
- Department of Cell Biology, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of SciencesMoscow, Russia
| | - Andrew V Garazha
- Group for Genomic Regulation of Cell Signaling Systems, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic ChemistryMoscow, Russia.,Department of Biomedicine, Moscow Institute of Physics and TechnologyMoscow, Russia
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Grandi N, Cadeddu M, Blomberg J, Tramontano E. Contribution of type W human endogenous retroviruses to the human genome: characterization of HERV-W proviral insertions and processed pseudogenes. Retrovirology 2016; 13:67. [PMID: 27613107 PMCID: PMC5016936 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-016-0301-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient sequences integrated in the germ line cells and vertically transmitted through the offspring constituting about 8 % of our genome. In time, HERVs accumulated mutations that compromised their coding capacity. A prominent exception is HERV-W locus 7q21.2, producing a functional Env protein (Syncytin-1) coopted for placental syncytiotrophoblast formation. While expression of HERV-W sequences has been investigated for their correlation to disease, an exhaustive description of the group composition and characteristics is still not available and current HERV-W group information derive from studies published a few years ago that, of course, used the rough assemblies of the human genome available at that time. This hampers the comparison and correlation with current human genome assemblies. Results In the present work we identified and described in detail the distribution and genetic composition of 213 HERV-W elements. The bioinformatics analysis led to the characterization of several previously unreported features and provided a phylogenetic classification of two main subgroups with different age and structural characteristics. New facts on HERV-W genomic context of insertion and co-localization with sequences putatively involved in disease development are also reported. Conclusions The present work is a detailed overview of the HERV-W contribution to the human genome and provides a robust genetic background useful to clarify HERV-W role in pathologies with poorly understood etiology, representing, to our knowledge, the most complete and exhaustive HERV-W dataset up to date. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12977-016-0301-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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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
| | - Marta Cadeddu
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato SS554, 09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jonas Blomberg
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - 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), Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
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Suntsova M, Garazha A, Ivanova A, Kaminsky D, Zhavoronkov A, Buzdin A. Molecular functions of human endogenous retroviruses in health and disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:3653-75. [PMID: 26082181 PMCID: PMC11113533 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-1947-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2015] [Revised: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and related genetic elements form 504 distinct families and occupy ~8% of human genome. Recent success of high-throughput experimental technologies facilitated understanding functional impact of HERVs for molecular machinery of human cells. HERVs encode active retroviral proteins, which may exert important physiological functions in the body, but also may be involved in the progression of cancer and numerous human autoimmune, neurological and infectious diseases. The spectrum of related malignancies includes, but not limits to, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, lupus, schizophrenia, multiple cancer types and HIV. In addition, HERVs regulate expression of the neighboring host genes and modify genomic regulatory landscape, e.g., by providing regulatory modules like transcription factor binding sites (TFBS). Indeed, recent bioinformatic profiling identified ~110,000 regulatory active HERV elements, which formed at least ~320,000 human TFBS. These and other peculiarities of HERVs might have played an important role in human evolution and speciation. In this paper, we focus on the current progress in understanding of normal and pathological molecular niches of HERVs, on their implications in human evolution, normal physiology and disease. We also review the available databases dealing with various aspects of HERV genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Suntsova
- Group for Genomic Regulation of Cell Signaling Systems, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, D. Rogachyov Federal Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, 117198, Russia.
| | - Andrew Garazha
- Group for Genomic Regulation of Cell Signaling Systems, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, D. Rogachyov Federal Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, 117198, Russia.
| | - Alena Ivanova
- Group for Genomic Regulation of Cell Signaling Systems, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
- Pathway Pharmaceuticals, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
| | - Dmitry Kaminsky
- Pathway Pharmaceuticals, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
| | - Alex Zhavoronkov
- Pathway Pharmaceuticals, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
- Department of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 9 Institutskiy per., Dolgoprudny, Moscow, 141700, Russia.
| | - Anton Buzdin
- Group for Genomic Regulation of Cell Signaling Systems, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
- Pathway Pharmaceuticals, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
- National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Centre for Convergence of Nano-, Bio-, Information and Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, 1, Akademika Kurchatova sq., Moscow, 123182, Russia.
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Transcriptional activity of human endogenous retroviruses in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:164529. [PMID: 25734056 PMCID: PMC4334862 DOI: 10.1155/2015/164529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been implicated in human physiology and in human pathology. A better knowledge of the retroviral transcriptional activity in the general population and during the life span would greatly help the debate on its pathologic potential. The transcriptional activity of four HERV families (H, K, W, and E) was assessed, by qualitative and quantitative PCR, in PBMCs from 261 individuals aged from 1 to 80 years. Our results show that HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W, but not HERV-E, are transcriptionally active in the test population already in the early childhood. In addition, the transcriptional levels of HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W change significantly during the life span, albeit with distinct patterns. Our results, reinforce the hypothesis of a physiological correlation between HERVs activity and the different stages of life in humans. Studies aiming at identifying the factors, which are responsible for these changes during the individual's life, are still needed. Although the observed phenomena are presumably subjected to great variability, the basal transcriptional activity of each individual, also depending on the different ages of life, must be carefully considered in all the studies involving HERVs as causative agents of disease.
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