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Increased Presence of Antibodies against Type I Interferons and Human Endogenous Retrovirus W in Intensive Care Unit COVID-19 Patients. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0128022. [PMID: 35852349 PMCID: PMC9430400 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01280-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we observed an increased presence of antibodies (Abs) against type I interferon (IFN-I) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) compared to non-ICU COVID-19 patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. Human endogenous retrovirus W (HERV-W) can reactivate after viral infection; therefore, we also investigated the presence of antibodies against HERV-W envelope (HERV-W-env)-derived epitopes. A total of 113 subjects (41 female and 72 male subjects) were analyzed. A significant difference in autoantibodies against IFN-α, IFN-ω, and HERV-W was observed between HCs and ICU patients; indeed, the latter have higher levels of autoantibodies against IFN-α, IFN-ω, and HERV-W than subjects with mild COVID-19 and HCs. Neutralizing anti-IFN-I autoantibodies may affect the ability of IFN-I to bind to the type I interferon receptor (IFNAR), blocking the activation of the antiviral response. IMPORTANCE In this work, we report the increased presence of IFN autoantibodies in correlation with HERV-W-env autoantibodies in ICU COVID-19 patients. The novelty of the results is in the association of these IFN autoantibodies with autoantibodies against HERV-W-env, a protein recently discovered to be overexpressed in lymphocytes of COVID-19 patients and correlated with severe disease and pneumonia. Type I IFNs are part of a complex cross-regulatory network; however, in a small percentage of cases, the increase in autoantibodies against these proteins may lead to damage to the host instead of protection against infectious diseases.
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Dinoto A, Sechi E, Flanagan EP, Ferrari S, Solla P, Mariotto S, Chen JJ. Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Associated Disease. Front Neurol 2022; 13:866824. [PMID: 35401423 PMCID: PMC8983882 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.866824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The term neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) describes a group of clinical-MRI syndromes characterized by longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, brainstem dysfunction and/or, less commonly, encephalopathy. About 80% of patients harbor antibodies directed against the water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgG), expressed on astrocytes, which was found to be both a biomarker and a pathogenic cause of NMOSD. More recently, antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG), have been found to be a biomarker of a different entity, termed MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), which has overlapping, but different pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment response, and prognosis when compared to AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD. Despite important refinements in the accuracy of AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG testing assays, a small proportion of patients with NMOSD still remain negative for both antibodies and are called "seronegative" NMOSD. Whilst major advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, biomarkers that could help predict the risk of relapses, disease activity, and prognosis are still lacking. In this context, a number of serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers are emerging as potentially useful in clinical practice for diagnostic and treatment purposes. These include antibody titers, cytokine profiles, complement factors, and markers of neuronal (e.g., neurofilament light chain) or astroglial (e.g., glial fibrillary acidic protein) damage. The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence regarding the role of emerging diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in patients with NMOSD and MOGAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Dinoto
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Elia Sechi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Eoin P. Flanagan
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Sergio Ferrari
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Paolo Solla
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Sara Mariotto
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - John J. Chen
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, United States
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Pérez-Pérez S, Domínguez-Mozo MI, García-Martínez MÁ, Ballester-González R, Nieto-Gañán I, Arroyo R, Alvarez-Lafuente R. Epstein-Barr Virus Load Correlates with Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Retrovirus Envelope Expression. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020387. [PMID: 35203596 PMCID: PMC8962350 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
pHERV-W ENV and syncytin-1, the envelope proteins of the human endogenous retrovirus W family (HERV-W), have been proposed as etiological factors for MS development. In addition, herpesviruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the human herpesvirus 6A/B (HHV-6A/B), have been also strongly associated with the disease. This work aims to study the possible link between viral loads and antibody titers against EBV and HHV-6A/B and the pHERV-W ENV/syncytin-1 protein/gene expression. For this purpose, we conducted a 12-month longitudinal study involving 98 RRMS patients. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from each patient. Serum antibody titers against EBV and HHV-6A/B were determined by ELISA, while viral loads were analyzed using qPCR. HLA MS-related alleles were also genotyped. pHERV-W ENV/syncytin-1 protein and gene expression levels in immune cells were assessed by flow cytometry and qPCR, respectively. We found that the 12-month variation of the pHERV-W ENV gene expression levels positively correlated with the variation of the EBV viral load, especially in those patients with high baseline EBV loads. Therefore, these results could support previous studies pointing to the transactivation of pHERV-W ENV by EBV. However, further studies are needed to better understand this possible relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pérez-Pérez
- Environmental Factors in Degenerative Diseases Research Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.P.-P.); (M.I.D.-M.); (M.Á.G.-M.)
| | - María Inmaculada Domínguez-Mozo
- Environmental Factors in Degenerative Diseases Research Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.P.-P.); (M.I.D.-M.); (M.Á.G.-M.)
| | - María Ángel García-Martínez
- Environmental Factors in Degenerative Diseases Research Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.P.-P.); (M.I.D.-M.); (M.Á.G.-M.)
| | - Rubén Ballester-González
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (R.B.-G.); (I.N.-G.)
| | - Israel Nieto-Gañán
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (R.B.-G.); (I.N.-G.)
| | - Rafael Arroyo
- Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Quironsalud Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Roberto Alvarez-Lafuente
- Environmental Factors in Degenerative Diseases Research Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, IdISSC, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (S.P.-P.); (M.I.D.-M.); (M.Á.G.-M.)
- Correspondence:
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Pérez-Pérez S, Domínguez-Mozo MI, García-Martínez MÁ, García-Frontini MC, Villarrubia N, Costa-Frossard L, Villar LM, Arroyo R, Álvarez-Lafuente R. Anti-Human Herpesvirus 6 A/B Antibodies Titers Correlate With Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Retrovirus Envelope Expression. Front Immunol 2021; 12:798003. [PMID: 34912348 PMCID: PMC8666430 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.798003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus W family envelope proteins (pHERV-W ENV/syncytin-1) have been repeatedly associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we have focused on the study of pHERV-W ENV/syncytin-1 expression levels in MS patients (relapsing and progressive forms) and in healthy donors (HD) and on exploring their possible relationship with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus-6A/B (HHV-6A/B). We included blood samples from 101 MS patients and 37 HD to analyze antiviral antibody titers by ELISA and pHERV-W ENV/syncytin-1 expression levels by flow cytometry as well as by qPCR. Patients with relapsing MS forms showed significantly higher pHERV-W ENV/syncytin-1 protein and gene expression levels than HD. Progressive MS patients also showed significantly higher protein and gene expression levels than both HD and relapsing MS patients. Regarding antiviral antibodies titers, anti-HHV-6A/B IgM levels were positively correlated with pHERV-W ENV/syncytin-1 protein expression levels in patients with relapsing MS, while in the progressive forms patients this correlation was found with anti-HHVA/B IgG levels. Therefore, pHERV-W ENV could be involved in MS pathogenesis, playing a role in relapsing and progressive forms. Besides, anti-HHV-6A/B antibodies positively correlated with pHERV-W ENV expression. Further studies are needed to better understand this possible relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pérez-Pérez
- Environmental Factors in Degenerative Diseases Research Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María I. Domínguez-Mozo
- Environmental Factors in Degenerative Diseases Research Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Ángel García-Martínez
- Environmental Factors in Degenerative Diseases Research Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Celeste García-Frontini
- Environmental Factors in Degenerative Diseases Research Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Noelia Villarrubia
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Luisa M. Villar
- Immunology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Arroyo
- Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Quironsalud Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Álvarez-Lafuente
- Environmental Factors in Degenerative Diseases Research Group, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
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HERV-K Modulates the Immune Response in ALS Patients. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081784. [PMID: 34442863 PMCID: PMC8399181 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K env-su glycoprotein has been documented in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where HERV-K env-su 19–37 antibody levels significantly correlated with clinical measures of disease severity. Herein, we investigated further the humoral and cell-mediated immune response against specific antigenic peptides derived from HERV-K in ALS. HERV-K env glycoprotein expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) membrane and cytokines and chemokines after stimulation with HERV-K env 19–37 and HERV-K env 109–126 were quantified in patients and healthy controls (HCs). HERV-K env glycoprotein was more expressed in B cells and NK cells of ALS patients compared to HCs, whereas HERV-K env transcripts were similar in ALS and HCs. In ALS patients, specific stimulation with HERV-K env 109–126 peptide showed a higher expression of IL-6 by CD19/B cells. Both peptides, however, were able to induce a great production of IFN-γ by stimulation CD19/B cells, and yielded a higher expression of MIP-1α and a lower expression of MCP-1. HERV-K env 19–37 peptide induced a great production of TNF-α in CD8/T cells. In conclusion, we observed the ability of HERV-K to modulate the immune system, generating mediators mainly involved in proinflammatory response.
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Epigenomic and transcriptomic analysis of chronic inflammatory diseases. Genes Genomics 2021; 43:227-236. [PMID: 33638813 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-021-01045-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) have complex pathologies that result from aberrant and persistent immune responses. However, the precise triggers and mechanisms remain elusive. An important aspect of CID research focuses on epigenetics modifications, which regulate gene expression and provide a dynamic transcriptional response to inflammation. In recent years, mounting evidence has demonstrated an association between epigenomic and transcriptomic dysregulation and the phenotypes of CIDs. In particular, epigenetic changes at cis-regulatory elements have provided new insights for immune cell-specific alterations that contribute to disease etiology. Furthermore, the advancements in single-cell genomics provide novel solutions to cell type heterogeneity, which has long posed challenges for CID diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we discuss the current state of epigenomics research of CID and the insights derived from single-cell transcriptomic and epigenomic studies.
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Gröger V, Emmer A, Staege MS, Cynis H. Endogenous Retroviruses in Nervous System Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010070. [PMID: 33467098 PMCID: PMC7829834 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several nervous system disorders including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The toxicity of HERV-derived RNAs and proteins for neuronal cells has been demonstrated. The involvement of HERV in the pathogenesis of currently incurable diseases might offer new treatment strategies based on the inhibition of HERV activities by small molecules or therapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Gröger
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-557-7280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.)
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-557-7280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.)
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Uzawa A, Mori M, Masuda H, Ohtani R, Uchida T, Aoki R, Kuwabara S. Peroxiredoxins are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 202:239-248. [PMID: 32643149 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Peroxiredoxins (PRXs) are intracellular anti-oxidative enzymes but work as inflammatory amplifiers under the extracellular condition. To date, the function of PRXs in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PRXs play a role in the pathogenesis of MS and NMOSD. We analyzed levels of PRXs (PRX1, PRX5 and PRX6) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of 16 patients with MS, 16 patients with NMOSD and 15 patients with other neurological disorders (ONDs). We identified potential correlations between significantly elevated PRXs levels and the clinical variables in patients with MS and NMOSD. Additionally, pathological analyses of PRXs (PRX1-6) in the central nervous system (CNS) were performed using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), animal model of MS. We found that serum levels of PRX5 and PRX6 in patients with MS and NMOSD were higher compared with those in patients with ONDs (P < 0·05). Furthermore, high levels of PRX5 and PRX6 were partly associated with blood-brain barrier dysfunction and disease duration in NMOSD patients. No significant elevation was found in CSF PRXs levels of MS and NMOSD. Spinal cords from EAE mice showed remarkable PRX5 staining, especially in CD45+ infiltrating cells. In conclusion, PRX5 and PRX6 may play a role in the pathogeneses of MS and NMOSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Uzawa
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - M Mori
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - H Masuda
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - R Ohtani
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - T Uchida
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - R Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - S Kuwabara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Liu C, Xu J, Wen F, Yang F, Li X, Geng D, Li L, Chen J, Zheng J. Upregulation of syncytin-1 promotes invasion and metastasis by activating epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related pathway in endometrial carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 12:31-40. [PMID: 30588028 PMCID: PMC6301305 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s191041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common and lethal malignancy worldwide. Syncytin-1 is expressed in multiple types of cancer. However, the expression pattern and potential mechanism of syncytin-1 and its clinical significance in EC remain unclear. Materials and methods We analyzed 130 primary EC specimens from Binzhou Medical University to investigate the clinical role of syncytin-1 in EC by using different advanced pathological stages of EC tissues. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to measure the overall survival of EC patients. Syncytin-1 expression was analyzed by Western blot assays in HECCL-1 and RL-95-2 cells. Cell proliferation, cycle, migration, and invasion abilities were detected by cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, and transwell assays. AKT and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes were assessed by Western blot assays in HECCL-1 and RL-95-2 cells. Results Syncytin-1 was upregulated in EC tissues and cells and was related to clinical stages, expression of ER, Ki-67, and overall survival of EC. Functional research revealed that overexpression of syncytin-1 can promote cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and the migration and invasion of EC cells. Suppression of syncytin-1 expression also inhibited cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. The expression of syncytin-1 substantially improved the expression levels of EMT-related genes (vimentin, E-cadherin, slug, and ZEB1) but significantly decreased those of epithelial markers (N-cadherin and snail). In addition, we found that syncytin-1 was not correlated with AKT-related genes (total-AKT, p-AKT, and vinculin). Conclusion Our results suggested that syncytin-1 may promote aggressive behavior and can serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for EC. Our study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanism of EMT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changmin Liu
- Department of Oncology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256603, Shandong, China
| | - Jiqin Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shuyang People's Hospital, Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feifei Wen
- Department of Pathology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256603, Shandong, China
| | - Fangfang Yang
- Department of Oncology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256603, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Dianzhong Geng
- Department of Oncology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256603, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Oncology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256603, Shandong, China
| | - Jiming Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Changzhou No 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, Jiangsu, China,
| | - Jing Zheng
- Department of Clinical Medicine Laboratory, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256603, Shandong, China,
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Morris G, Maes M, Murdjeva M, Puri BK. Do Human Endogenous Retroviruses Contribute to Multiple Sclerosis, and if So, How? Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:2590-2605. [PMID: 30047100 PMCID: PMC6459794 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1255-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The gammaretroviral human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) families MRSV/HERV-W and HERV-H (including the closely related HERV-Fc1) are associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Complete HERV sequences betray their endogenous retroviral origin, with open reading frames in gag, pro, pol and env being flanked by two long terminal repeats containing promoter and enhancer sequences with the capacity to regulate HERV transactivation and the activity of host genes in spite of endogenous epigenetic repression mechanisms. HERV virions, RNA, cDNA, Gag and Env, and antibodies to HERV transcriptional products, have variously been found in the blood and/or brain and/or cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients, with the HERV expression level being associated with disease status. Furthermore, some HERV-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), such as rs662139 T/C in a 3-kb region of Xq22.3 containing a HERV-W env locus, and rs391745, upstream of the HERV-Fc1 locus on the X chromosome, are associated with MS susceptibility, while a negative association has been reported with SNPs in the tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) protein-encoding genes TRIM5 and TRIM22. Factors affecting HERV transcription include immune activation and inflammation, since HERV promoter regions possess binding sites for related transcription factors; oxidative stress, with oxidation of guanine to 8-oxoguanine and conversion of cytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine preventing binding of methyl groups transferred by DNA methyltransferases; oxidative stress also inhibits the activity of deacetylases, thereby favouring the acetylation of histone lysine residues favouring gene expression; interferon beta; natalizumab treatment; impaired epigenetic regulation; and the sex of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Maes
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Marianna Murdjeva
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Basant K Puri
- Department of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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