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Perron H. A tale of a hidden family of genetic immigrants. Microbes Infect 2024:105387. [PMID: 38944111 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Perron
- GeNeuro, 3 chemin du Pré-Fleuri, 1228 Plan-les-ouates, Geneva, Switzerland; Geneuro-Innovation, 60A, avenue Rockefeller, 69008 lyon, France
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Morais LV, dos Santos SN, Gomes TH, Malta Romano C, Colombo-Souza P, Amaral JB, Shio MT, Neves LM, Bachi ALL, França CN, Nali LHDS. Acute strength exercise training impacts differently the HERV-W expression and inflammatory biomarkers in resistance exercise training individuals. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303798. [PMID: 38753716 PMCID: PMC11098355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are fossil viruses that composes 8% of the human genome and plays several important roles in human physiology, including muscle repair/myogenesis. It is believed that inflammation may also regulate HERV expression, and therefore may contribute in the muscle repair, especially after training exercise. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of HERVs expression and inflammation profile in practitioners' resistance exercises after an acute strength training session. METHODS Healthy volunteers were separated in regular practitioners of resistance exercise training group (REG, n = 27) and non-trained individuals (Control Group, n = 20). All individuals performed a strength exercise section. Blood samples were collected before the exercise (T0) and 45 minutes after the training session (T1). HERV-K (HML1-10) and W were relatively quantified, cytokine concentration and circulating microparticles were assessed. RESULTS REG presented higher level of HERV-W expression (~2.5 fold change) than CG at T1 (p<0.01). No difference was observed in the levels of HERV-K expression between the groups as well as the time points. Higher serum TNF-α and IL-10 levels were verified post-training session in REG and CG (p<0.01), and in REG was found a positive correlation between the levels of TNF-α at T1 and IL-10 at T0 (p = 0.01). Finally, a lower endothelial microparticle percentage was observed in REG at T1 than in T0 (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION REG individuals exhibited a significant upregulation of HERV-W and modulation of inflammatory markers when compared to CG. This combined effect could potentially support the process of skeletal muscle repair in the exercised individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Vinicius Morais
- Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Tabatah Hellen Gomes
- Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Malta Romano
- Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP) LIM-52, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jonatas Bussador Amaral
- ENT Research Lab, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Tiemi Shio
- Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Melo Neves
- Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, Brazil
- Bipolar Disorder Program (PROMAN), Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carolina Nunes França
- Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, São Paulo, Brazil
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Rangel SC, da Silva MD, Natrielli Filho DG, Santos SN, do Amaral JB, Victor JR, Silva KCN, Tuleta ID, França CN, Shio MT, Neves LM, Bachi ALL, da Silva Nali LH. HERV-W upregulation expression in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia: unraveling potential links to systemic immune/inflammation status. Retrovirology 2024; 21:7. [PMID: 38644495 PMCID: PMC11034070 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-024-00640-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are the two main mental disorders with unknown etiology that significantly impact individuals' quality of life. The potential pro-inflammatory role in their pathogenesis is postulated and Human Endogenous Retrovirus W (HERV-W) is an emerging candidate to modulate this pathogenic finding. HERVs, ancient retroviruses in the human genome, may play roles in inflammation and disease pathogenesis. Despite HERVs' involvement in autoimmune diseases, their influence on mental disorders remains underexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the level of HERV-W-env expression and the systemic inflammatory profile through the concentration of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and INF-γ cytokines in BD and SZ patients. RESULTS All participants showed HERV-W-env expression, but its expression was higher in mental disorder patients (p < 0.01) than in control. When separated, SZ individuals exhibited higher HERV-W expression than the control group (p < 0.01). Higher serum levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were found in BD (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.001, respectively) and SZ (p = 0.01) and p = 0.01, respectively) than in the control group, while SZ showed decreased levels IFN-γ and IL-2 as compared to controls (p = 0.05) and BD patients (p = 0.05), respectively. Higher TNF-α/IL-4 and TNF-α/IL-10 ratios, and lower IFN-γ/IL-10 were observed in BD and SZ patients than controls. Significant negative correlation between HERV-W-env expression and IL-10 (r=-0.47 p < 0.05), as well as positive correlations between HERV-W-env expression and TNF-α/IL-10 or IFN-γ/IL-10 ratios (r = 0.48 p < 0.05 and r = 0.46 p < 0.05, respectively) were found in BD patients. CONCLUSION These findings suggest not only a potential link between HERV-W-env expression both in BD and SZ, but also a possible involvement of systemic inflammatory status in BD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Coelho Rangel
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Isabel Schmitt, 540, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michelly Damasceno da Silva
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Isabel Schmitt, 540, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Décio Gilberto Natrielli Filho
- Hospital Escola Wladimir Arruda- Departamento de Psiquiatria- Santo Amaro University, Rua Prof. Enéas de Siqueira Neto, 340, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samuel Nascimento Santos
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Isabel Schmitt, 540, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jonatas Bussador do Amaral
- Ent Research Lab, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jefferson Russo Victor
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Isabel Schmitt, 540, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Izabela Dorota Tuleta
- Department of Medicine-Cardiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, EUA, USA
| | - Carolina Nunes França
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Isabel Schmitt, 540, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Tiemi Shio
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Isabel Schmitt, 540, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Melo Neves
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Isabel Schmitt, 540, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André Luis Lacerda Bachi
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Isabel Schmitt, 540, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique da Silva Nali
- Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Isabel Schmitt, 540, São Paulo, Brazil.
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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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Chen X, Pacis A, Aracena KA, Gona S, Kwan T, Groza C, Lin YL, Sindeaux R, Yotova V, Pramatarova A, Simon MM, Pastinen T, Barreiro LB, Bourque G. Transposable elements are associated with the variable response to influenza infection. CELL GENOMICS 2023; 3:100292. [PMID: 37228757 PMCID: PMC10203045 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) infections are frequent every year and result in a range of disease severity. Here, we wanted to explore the potential contribution of transposable elements (TEs) to the variable human immune response. Transcriptome profiling in monocyte-derived macrophages from 39 individuals following IAV infection revealed significant inter-individual variation in viral load post-infection. Using transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), we identified a set of TE families with either enhanced or reduced accessibility upon infection. Of the enhanced families, 15 showed high variability between individuals and had distinct epigenetic profiles. Motif analysis showed an association with known immune regulators (e.g., BATFs, FOSs/JUNs, IRFs, STATs, NFkBs, NFYs, and RELs) in stably enriched families and with other factors in variable families, including KRAB-ZNFs. We showed that TEs and host factors regulating TEs were predictive of viral load post-infection. Our findings shed light on the role TEs and KRAB-ZNFs may play in inter-individual variation in immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Chen
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Alain Pacis
- Canadian Center for Computational Genomics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | | | - Saideep Gona
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tony Kwan
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine at McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Cristian Groza
- Quantitative Life Science, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 1E3, Canada
| | - Yen Lung Lin
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Renata Sindeaux
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Vania Yotova
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Albena Pramatarova
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine at McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Marie-Michelle Simon
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine at McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
| | - Tomi Pastinen
- Genomic Medicine Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital and Research Institute, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Luis B. Barreiro
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Guillaume Bourque
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Canadian Center for Computational Genomics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine at McGill University, Montréal, QC H3A 0G1, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
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Grandi N, Erbì MC, Scognamiglio S, Tramontano E. Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV) Transcriptome Is Dynamically Modulated during SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Allows Discrimination of COVID-19 Clinical Stages. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0251622. [PMID: 36602345 PMCID: PMC9927238 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02516-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection is known to trigger an important inflammatory response, which has a major role in COVID-19 pathogenesis. In infectious and inflammatory contexts, the modulation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) has been broadly reported, being able to further sustain innate immune responses due to the expression of immunogenic viral transcripts, including double-stranded DNA (dsRNA), and eventually, immunogenic proteins. To gain insights on this poorly characterized interplay, we performed a high-throughput expression analysis of ~3,300 specific HERV loci in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 10 healthy controls and 16 individuals being either convalescent after the infection (6) or retesting positive after convalescence (10) (Gene Expression Onmibus [GEO] data set GSE166253). Results showed that the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection modulates HERV expression according to the disease stage and reflecting COVID-19 immune signatures. The differential expression analysis between healthy control (HC) and COVID-19 patients allowed us to identify a total of 282 differentially expressed HERV loci (deHERV) in the individuals exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection, independently from the clinical form. In addition, 278 and 60 deHERV loci that were specifically modulated in individuals convalescent after COVID19 infection (C) and patients that retested positive to SARS-CoV-2 after convalescence (RTP) as individually compared to HC, respectively, as well as 164 deHERV loci between C and RTP patients were identified. The identified HERV loci belonged to 36 different HERV groups, including members of all three classes. The present study provides an exhaustive picture of the HERV transcriptome in PBMCs and its dynamic variation in the presence of COVID-19, revealing specific modulation patterns according to the infection stage that can be relevant to the disease clinical manifestation and outcome. IMPORTANCE We report here the first high-throughput analysis of HERV loci expression along SARS-CoV-2 infection, as performed with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Such cells are not directly infected by the virus but have a crucial role in the plethora of inflammatory and immune events that constitute a major hallmark of COVID-19 pathogenesis. Results provide a novel and exhaustive picture of HERV expression in PBMCs, revealing specific modulation patterns according to the disease condition and the concomitant immune activation. To our knowledge, this is the first set of deHERVs whose expression is dynamically modulated across COVID-19 stages, confirming a tight interplay between HERV and cellular immunity and revealing specific transcriptional signatures that can have an impact on the disease clinical manifestation and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Erbì
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sante Scognamiglio
- 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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Li X, Wu X, Li W, Yan Q, Zhou P, Xia Y, Yao W, Zhu F. HERV-W ENV Induces Innate Immune Activation and Neuronal Apoptosis via linc01930/cGAS Axis in Recent-Onset Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24033000. [PMID: 36769337 PMCID: PMC9917391 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24033000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder affecting about 1% of individuals worldwide. Increased innate immune activation and neuronal apoptosis are common findings in schizophrenia. Interferon beta (IFN-β), an essential cytokine in promoting and regulating innate immune responses, causes neuronal apoptosis in vitro. However, the precise pathogenesis of schizophrenia is unknown. Recent studies indicate that a domesticated endogenous retroviral envelope glycoprotein of the W family (HERV-W ENV, also called ERVWE1 or syncytin 1), derived from the endogenous retrovirus group W member 1 (ERVWE1) locus on chromosome 7q21.2, has a high level in schizophrenia. Here, we found an increased serum IFN-β level in schizophrenia and showed a positive correlation with HERV-W ENV. In addition, serum long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1930 (linc01930), decreased in schizophrenia, was negatively correlated with HERV-W ENV and IFN-β. In vitro experiments showed that linc01930, mainly in the nucleus and with noncoding functions, was repressed by HERV-W ENV through promoter activity suppression. Further studies indicated that HERV-W ENV increased IFN-β expression and neuronal apoptosis by restraining the expression of linc01930. Furthermore, HERV-W ENV enhanced cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING) expression and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) phosphorylation in neuronal cells. Notably, cGAS interacted with HERV-W ENV and triggered IFN-β expression and neuronal apoptosis caused by HERV-W ENV. Moreover, Linc01930 participated in the increased neuronal apoptosis and expression level of cGAS and IFN-β induced by HERV-W ENV. To summarize, our results suggested that linc01930 and IFN-β might be novel potential blood-based biomarkers in schizophrenia. The totality of these results also showed that HERV-W ENV facilitated antiviral innate immune response, resulting in neuronal apoptosis through the linc01930/cGAS/STING pathway in schizophrenia. Due to its monoclonal antibody GNbAC1 application in clinical trials, we considered HERV-W ENV might be a reliable therapeutic choice for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, No. 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xiulin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, No. 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wenshi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, No. 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qiujin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, No. 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, No. 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yaru Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, No. 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wei Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, No. 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Fan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, No. 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy & Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Correspondence:
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Wu X, Yan Q, Liu L, Xue X, Yao W, Li X, Li W, Ding S, Xia Y, Zhang D, Zhu F. Domesticated HERV-W env contributes to the activation of the small conductance Ca 2+-activated K + type 2 channels via decreased 5-HT4 receptor in recent-onset schizophrenia. Virol Sin 2023; 38:9-22. [PMID: 36007838 PMCID: PMC10006216 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human endogenous retroviruses type W family envelope (HERV-W env) gene is located on chromosome 7q21-22. Our previous studies show that HERV-W env is elevated in schizophrenia and HERV-W env can increase calcium influx. Additionally, the 5-HTergic system and particularly 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors play a prominent role in the pathogenesis and treatment of schizophrenia. 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 (5-HT4R) agonist can block calcium channels. However, the underlying relationship between HERV-W env and 5-HT4R in the etiology of schizophrenia has not been revealed. Here, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect the concentration of HERV-W env and 5-HT4R in the plasma of patients with schizophrenia and we found that there were decreased levels of 5-HT4R and a negative correlation between 5-HT4R and HERV-W env in schizophrenia. Overexpression of HERV-W env decreased the transcription and protein levels of 5-HT4R but increased small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ type 2 channels (SK2) expression levels. Further studies revealed that HERV-W env could interact with 5-HT4R. Additionally, luciferase assay showed that an essential region (-364 to -176 from the transcription start site) in the SK2 promoter was required for HERV-W env-induced SK2 expression. Importantly, 5-HT4R participated in the regulation of SK2 expression and promoter activity. Electrophysiological recordings suggested that HERV-W env could increase SK2 channel currents and the increase of SK2 currents was inhibited by 5-HT4R. In conclusion, HERV-W env could activate SK2 channels via decreased 5-HT4R, which might exhibit a novel mechanism for HERV-W env to influence neuronal activity in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiulin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qiujin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | | | - Xing Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Wei Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xuhang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Wenshi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Shuang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yaru Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dongyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Fan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy & Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Modulation of HERV Expression by Four Different Encephalitic Arboviruses during Infection of Human Primary Astrocytes. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112505. [PMID: 36423114 PMCID: PMC9694637 DOI: 10.3390/v14112505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human retroelements (HERVs) are retroviral origin sequences fixed in the human genome. HERVs induction is associated with neurogenesis, cellular development, immune activation, and neurological disorders. Arboviruses are often associated with the development of encephalitis. The interplay between these viruses and HERVs has not been fully elucidated. In this work, we analyzed RNAseq data derived from infected human primary astrocytes by Zika (ZikV), Mayaro (MayV), Oropouche (OroV) and Chikungunya (ChikV) viruses, and evaluated the modulation of HERVs and their nearby genes. Our data show common HERVs expression modulation by both alphaviruses, suggesting conserved evolutionary routes of transcription regulation. A total of 15 HERVs were co-modulated by the four arboviruses, including the highly upregulated HERV4_4q22. Data on the upregulation of genes nearby to these elements in ChikV, MayV and OroV infections were also obtained, and interaction networks were built. The upregulation of 14 genes common among all viruses was observed in the networks, and 93 genes between MayV and ChikV. These genes are related to cellular processes such as cellular replication, cytoskeleton, cell vesicle traffic and antiviral response. Together, our results support the role of HERVs induction in the transcription regulation process of genes during arboviral infections.
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A Systems Biology Approach on the Regulatory Footprint of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs). Diseases 2022; 10:diseases10040098. [PMID: 36412592 PMCID: PMC9680359 DOI: 10.3390/diseases10040098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are a family of endogenous retroviruses that comprise the ~8.93% of the human genome sequence, with a high proportion being human specific. The recent expansion of repeated HERV sequences has offered a framework for genetic and epigenetic innovation. In the current report, a systematic approach is implemented to catalogue regulatory elements within HERVs, as a roadmap to potential functions of HERV sequences in gene networks. ENCODE Project has offered a wealth of epigenetic data based on omics technologies. I analyzed the presence of HERV sequences on consensus cis-regulatory elements (cCREs) from ENCODE data. On the one side, HERVs are in 1 out of 9 cCREs (>100.000 cCREs in total), dispersed within the genome and present in cis-regulatory regions of ~81% of human genes, as calculated following gene enrichment analysis. On the other side, promoter-associated HERV cCREs are present adjacent to (in a 200 bp window) the transcription start sites of 256 human genes. Regulatory network production, followed by centrality analysis led to the discovery of 90 core genes containing HERV-associated promoters. Pathway analysis on the core network genes and their immediate neighbors revealed a regulatory footprint that, among others, is associated with inflammation, chemokine signaling and response to viral infection. Collectively, these results support the concept that the expansion of regulatory sequences derived from HERVs is critical for epigenetic innovation that may have wired together genes into novel transcriptional networks with critical roles in cellular physiology and pathology.
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Taylor S, Isobe S, Cao A, Contrepois K, Benayoun BA, Jiang L, Wang L, Melemenidis S, Ozen MO, Otsuki S, Shinohara T, Sweatt AJ, Kaplan J, Moonen JR, Marciano DP, Gu M, Miyagawa K, Hayes B, Sierra RG, Kupitz CJ, Del Rosario PA, Hsi A, Thompson AAR, Ariza ME, Demirci U, Zamanian RT, Haddad F, Nicolls MR, Snyder MP, Rabinovitch M. Endogenous Retroviral Elements Generate Pathologic Neutrophils in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2022; 206:1019-1034. [PMID: 35696338 PMCID: PMC9801997 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202102-0446oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The role of neutrophils and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension is unclear. Objectives: To relate functional abnormalities in pulmonary arterial hypertension neutrophils and their EVs to mechanisms uncovered by proteomic and transcriptomic profiling. Methods: Production of elastase, release of extracellular traps, adhesion, and migration were assessed in neutrophils from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and control subjects. Proteomic analyses were applied to explain functional perturbations, and transcriptomic data were used to find underlying mechanisms. CD66b-specific neutrophil EVs were isolated from plasma of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, and we determined whether they produce pulmonary hypertension in mice. Measurements and Main Results: Neutrophils from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension produce and release increased neutrophil elastase, associated with enhanced extracellular traps. They exhibit reduced migration and increased adhesion attributed to elevated β1-integrin and vinculin identified by proteomic analysis and previously linked to an antiviral response. This was substantiated by a transcriptomic IFN signature that we related to an increase in human endogenous retrovirus K envelope protein. Transfection of human endogenous retrovirus K envelope in a neutrophil cell line (HL-60) increases neutrophil elastase and IFN genes, whereas vinculin is increased by human endogenous retrovirus K deoxyuridine triphosphate diphosphatase that is elevated in patient plasma. Neutrophil EVs from patient plasma contain increased neutrophil elastase and human endogenous retrovirus K envelope and induce pulmonary hypertension in mice, mitigated by elafin, an elastase inhibitor. Conclusions: Elevated human endogenous retroviral elements and elastase link a neutrophil innate immune response to pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalina Taylor
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | - Sarasa Isobe
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | - Aiqin Cao
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | | | - Bérénice A. Benayoun
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and,Department of Molecular and Computational Biology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lihua Jiang
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Genetics
| | - Lingli Wang
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | | | - Mehmet O. Ozen
- Department of Radiology Canary Center for Cancer Early Detection
| | - Shoichiro Otsuki
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | - Tsutomu Shinohara
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | - Andrew J. Sweatt
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Department of Medicine – Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and
| | - Jordan Kaplan
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | - Jan-Renier Moonen
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | | | - Mingxia Gu
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | - Kazuya Miyagawa
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
| | - Brandon Hayes
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California
| | - Raymond G. Sierra
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California
| | - Christopher J. Kupitz
- Linac Coherent Light Source, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California
| | - Patricia A. Del Rosario
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Department of Medicine – Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and
| | - Andrew Hsi
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases
| | - A. A. Roger Thompson
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology,,Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; and
| | - Maria E. Ariza
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics and,Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - Roham T. Zamanian
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Department of Medicine – Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and
| | - Francois Haddad
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Medicine – Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Mark R. Nicolls
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Medicine – Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and
| | | | - Marlene Rabinovitch
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases,,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute,,Department of Pediatrics – Cardiology
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12
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Gut Non-Bacterial Microbiota: Emerging Link to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14090596. [PMID: 36136534 PMCID: PMC9503233 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) significantly affects personal health and imposes a substantial economic burden on society, but the current understanding of its occurrence and treatment is still inadequate. Emerging evidence suggests that IBS is associated with gut microbial dysbiosis, but most studies focus on the bacteria and neglect other communities of the microbiota, including fungi, viruses, archaea, and other parasitic microorganisms. This review summarizes the latest findings that link the nonbacterial microbiota with IBS. IBS patients show less fungal and viral diversity but some alterations in mycobiome, virome, and archaeome, such as an increased abundance of Candida albicans. Moreover, fungi and methanogens can aid in diagnosis. Fungi are related to distinct IBS symptoms and induce immune responses, intestinal barrier disruption, and visceral hypersensitivity via specific receptors, cells, and metabolites. Novel therapeutic methods for IBS include fungicides, inhibitors targeting fungal pathogenic pathways, probiotic fungi, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Additionally, viruses, methanogens, and parasitic microorganisms are also involved in the pathophysiology and treatment. Therefore, the gut nonbacterial microbiota is involved in the pathogenesis of IBS, which provides a novel perspective on the noninvasive diagnosis and precise treatment of this disease.
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Liu H, Bergant V, Frishman G, Ruepp A, Pichlmair A, Vincendeau M, Frishman D. Influenza A Virus Infection Reactivates Human Endogenous Retroviruses Associated with Modulation of Antiviral Immunity. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071591. [PMID: 35891571 PMCID: PMC9320126 DOI: 10.3390/v14071591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus (HERVs), normally silenced by methylation or mutations, can be reactivated by multiple environmental factors, including infections with exogenous viruses. In this work, we investigated the transcriptional activity of HERVs in human A549 cells infected by two wild-type (PR8M, SC35M) and one mutated (SC35MΔNS1) strains of Influenza A virus (IAVs). We found that the majority of differentially expressed HERVs (DEHERVS) and genes (DEGs) were up-regulated in the infected cells, with the most significantly enriched biological processes associated with the genes differentially expressed exclusively in SC35MΔNS1 being linked to the immune system. Most DEHERVs in PR8M and SC35M are mammalian apparent LTR retrotransposons, while in SC35MΔNS1, more HERV loci from the HERVW9 group were differentially expressed. Furthermore, up-regulated pairs of HERVs and genes in close chromosomal proximity to each other tended to be associated with immune responses, which implies that specific HERV groups might have the potential to trigger specific gene networks and influence host immunological pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengyuan Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany;
| | - Valter Bergant
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.B.); (A.P.)
| | - Goar Frishman
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (G.F.); (A.R.)
| | - Andreas Ruepp
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (G.F.); (A.R.)
| | - Andreas Pichlmair
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.B.); (A.P.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Michelle Vincendeau
- Research Group Endogenous Retroviruses, Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (D.F.)
| | - Dmitrij Frishman
- Department of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany;
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (D.F.)
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14
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DeRosa H, Richter T, Wilkinson C, Hunter RG. Bridging the Gap Between Environmental Adversity and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: The Role of Transposable Elements. Front Genet 2022; 13:813510. [PMID: 35711940 PMCID: PMC9196244 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.813510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Long regarded as “junk DNA,” transposable elements (TEs) have recently garnered much attention for their role in promoting genetic diversity and plasticity. While many processes involved in mammalian development require TE activity, deleterious TE insertions are a hallmark of several psychiatric disorders. Moreover, stressful events including exposure to gestational infection and trauma, are major risk factors for developing psychiatric illnesses. Here, we will provide evidence demonstrating the intersection of stressful events, atypical TE expression, and their epigenetic regulation, which may explain how neuropsychiatric phenotypes manifest. In this way, TEs may be the “bridge” between environmental perturbations and psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly DeRosa
- Psychology Department, Developmental Brain Sciences Program, College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Troy Richter
- Psychology Department, Developmental Brain Sciences Program, College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Cooper Wilkinson
- Psychology Department, Developmental Brain Sciences Program, College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Richard G Hunter
- Psychology Department, Developmental Brain Sciences Program, College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States
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15
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Bu C, Wang Z, Ren Y, Chen D, Jiang SW. Syncytin-1 nonfusogenic activities modulate inflammation and contribute to preeclampsia pathogenesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:290. [PMID: 35536515 PMCID: PMC11073204 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04294-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Maternal cellular and humoral immune responses to the allogeneic fetoplacental unit are a normal part of pregnancy adaptation. Overactive or dysregulated immune responses that often manifest as inflammation are considered a key element for the development of preeclampsia. Infiltration and activation of macrophages, nature killer cells, and T lymphocytes are frequently observed in the decidua and placenta associated with preeclampsia. In addition to local inflammation, systemic inflammatory changes including increased levels of TNF-α and interleukins (ILs) are detected in the maternal circulation. Syncytin-1 is an endogenous retroviral envelope protein that mediates the fusion of trophoblasts to form syncytiotrophoblasts, a cellular component carrying out most of placental barrier, exchange, and endocrine functions. In addition to these well-defined fusogenic functions that are known for their close association with preeclampsia, multiple studies indicated that syncytin-1 possesses nonfusogenic activities such as those for cell cycle and apoptosis regulation. Moreover, syncytin-1 expressed by trophoblasts and various types of immune cells may participate in regulation of inflammation in preeclamptic placenta and decidua. This review concentrates on the triangular relationship among inflammation, syncytin-1 nonfusogenic functions, and preeclampsia pathogenesis. Data regarding the reciprocal modulations of inflammation and poor vascularization/hypoxia are summarized. The impacts of syncytin-A (the mouse counterpart of human syncytin-1) gene knockout on placental vascularization and their implications for preeclampsia are discussed. Syncytin-1 expression in immune cells and its significance for inflammation are analyzed in the context of preeclampsia development. Finally, the involvements of syncytin-1 nonfusogenic activities in neuroinflammation and multiple sclerosis are compared to findings from preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaozhi Bu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China
- Center of Prenatal Diagnosis, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongwei Ren
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Daozhen Chen
- Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China.
| | - Shi-Wen Jiang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China.
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16
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Dai M, Xie T, Feng M, Zhang X. Endogenous retroviruses transcriptomes in response to four avian pathogenic microorganisms infection in chicken. Genomics 2022; 114:110371. [PMID: 35462029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The impact of Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) on chicken disease is not well understood. Here, we systematically identified 436 relatively complete ChERVs from the chicken genome. Subsequently, ChERV transcriptomes were analyzed in chicken after subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J), avian influenza virus (AIV), Marek's disease virus (MDV) and avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infection. We found that about 50%-68% of ChERVs were transcriptionally active in infected and uninfected-samples, although the abundance of most ChERVs is relatively low. Moreover, compared to uninfected-samples, 49, 18, 66 and 17 ChERVs were significantly differentially expressed in ALV-J, AIV, MDV and APEC infected-samples, respectively. These findings may be of significance for understanding the role and function of ChERVs to response the pathogenic microorganism infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manman Dai
- National and Regional Joint Engineering Laboratory for Medicament of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Tingting Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Xiquan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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17
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Nali LH, Olival GS, Montenegro H, da Silva IT, Dias-Neto E, Naya H, Spangenberg L, Penalva-de-Oliveira AC, Romano CM. Human endogenous retrovirus and multiple sclerosis: A review and transcriptome findings. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021; 57:103383. [PMID: 34922254 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease with an unknown etiology. Both genetic and environmental factors are believed to trigger MS autoimmunity. Among the environmental factors, infectious agents have been extensively investigated, and the Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), especially HERV-W, are believed to be associated with MS pathogenesis. HERVs are derived from ancestral infections and comprise around 8% of the human genome. Although most HERVs are silenced, retroviral genes may be expressed with virion formation. There is extensive evidence of the relationship between HERV-W and MS, including higher levels of HERV-W expression in MS patients, HERV-W protein detection in MS plaques, and the HERV-W env protein inducing an inflammatory response in in vitro and in vivo models. Here we discuss possible links of HERVs and the pathogenesis of MS and present new data regarding the diversity of HERVs expression in samples derived from MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz H Nali
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, LIM-52 (LIMHC) Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; Post-graduation Program in Health Sciences, Santo Amaro University, Rua Prof. Enéas de Siqueira Neto, 340, São Paulo 04829-300, Brazil
| | - Guilherme S Olival
- Departamento de Neurologia Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, R. Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior, 112, São Paulo 01221-020 Brazil
| | | | - Israel T da Silva
- Laboratory of Medical Genomics, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01525-001, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Dias-Neto
- Laboratory of Medical Genomics, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo 01525-001, Brazil; Laboratory of Neurosciences (LIM-27), Institute of Psychiatry, São Paulo Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hugo Naya
- Unidad de Bioinformática Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Producción Animal y Pasturas, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Av. Gral. Eugenio Garzón 780, CP12900 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucia Spangenberg
- Unidad de Bioinformática Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Mataojo 2020, CP11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Augusto C Penalva-de-Oliveira
- Departamento de Neurologia Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, R. Dr. Cesário Mota Júnior, 112, São Paulo 01221-020 Brazil; Departamento de Neurologia, Instituto de Infectologia Emilio Ribas, Avenida Doutor Arnaldo, 165, São Paulo 01246-900, Brazil
| | - Camila M Romano
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, LIM-52 (LIMHC) Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil; Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP (LIM52), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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18
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Noli M, Meloni G, Manca P, Cossu D, Palermo M, Sechi LA. HERV-W and Mycobacteriumavium subspecies paratuberculosis Are at Play in Pediatric Patients at Onset of Type 1 Diabetes. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091135. [PMID: 34578167 PMCID: PMC8471288 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiology of T1D remains unknown, although a variety of etiological agents have been proposed as potential candidates to trigger autoimmunity in susceptible individuals. Emerging evidence has indicated that endogenous human retrovirus (HERV) may play a role in the disease etiopathogenesis; although several epigenetic mechanisms keep most HERVs silenced, environmental stimuli such as infections may contribute to the transcriptional reactivation of HERV-Wand thus promote pathological conditions. Previous studies have indicated that also Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) could be a potential risk factor for T1D, particularly in the Sardinian population. In the present study, the humoral response against HERV-W envelope and MAP-derived peptides was analyzed to investigate their potential role in T1D etiopathogenesis, in a Sardinian population at T1D onset (n = 26), T1D (45) and an age-matched healthy population (n = 45). For the first time, a high serum-prevalence of anti-Map and anti-HERV-W Abs was observed in pediatric patients at onset of T1D compared to T1D patients and healthy controls. Our results support the hypothesis that external infections and internal reactivations are involved in the etiology of T1D, and that HERV-W activation may be induced by infectious agents such as MAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Noli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.N.); (D.C.)
| | - Gianfranco Meloni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, Università degli Studi di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Pietro Manca
- Servizio Centro Trasfusionale, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Davide Cossu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.N.); (D.C.)
| | - Mario Palermo
- Servizio di Endocrinologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Leonardo A. Sechi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.N.); (D.C.)
- Struttura Complessa di Microbiologia e Virologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, Università degli Studi di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Correspondence:
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19
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Frey TR, Akinyemi IA, Burton EM, Bhaduri-McIntosh S, McIntosh MT. An Ancestral Retrovirus Envelope Protein Regulates Persistent Gammaherpesvirus Lifecycles. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:708404. [PMID: 34434177 PMCID: PMC8381357 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.708404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human gammaherpesviruses Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) persist as life-long infections alternating between latency and lytic replication. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), via integration into the host genome, represent genetic remnants of ancient retroviral infections. Both show similar epigenetic silencing while dormant, but can reactivate in response to cell signaling cues or triggers that, for gammaherpesviruses, result in productive lytic replication. Given their co-existence with humans and shared epigenetic silencing, we asked if HERV expression might be linked to lytic activation of human gammaherpesviruses. We found ERVW-1 mRNA, encoding the functional HERV-W envelope protein Syncytin-1, along with other repeat class elements, to be elevated upon lytic activation of EBV. Knockdown/knockout of ERVW-1 reduced lytic activation of EBV and KSHV in response to various lytic cycle triggers. In this regard, reduced expression of immediate early proteins ZEBRA and RTA for EBV and KSHV, respectively, places Syncytin-1's influence on lytic activation mechanistically upstream of the latent-to-lytic switch. Conversely, overexpression of Syncytin-1 enhanced lytic activation of EBV and KSHV in response to lytic triggers, though this was not sufficient to induce lytic activation in the absence of such triggers. Syncytin-1 is expressed in replicating B cell blasts and lymphoma-derived B cell lines where it appears to contribute to cell cycle progression. Together, human gammaherpesviruses and B cells appear to have adapted a dependency on Syncytin-1 that facilitates the ability of EBV and KSHV to activate lytic replication from latency, while promoting viral persistence during latency by contributing to B cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany R. Frey
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Research Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ibukun A. Akinyemi
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Research Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Eric M. Burton
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Michael T. McIntosh
- Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Research Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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20
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Human Endogenous Retrovirus as Therapeutic Targets in Neurologic Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14060495. [PMID: 34073730 PMCID: PMC8225122 DOI: 10.3390/ph14060495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient retroviral DNA sequences established into germline. They contain regulatory elements and encoded proteins few of which may provide benefits to hosts when co-opted as cellular genes. Their tight regulation is mainly achieved by epigenetic mechanisms, which can be altered by environmental factors, e.g., viral infections, leading to HERV activation. The aberrant expression of HERVs associates with neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), inflammatory processes and neurodegeneration. This review summarizes the recent advances on the epigenetic mechanisms controlling HERV expression and the pathogenic effects triggered by HERV de-repression. This article ends by describing new, promising therapies, targeting HERV elements, one of which, temelimab, has completed phase II trials with encouraging results in treating MS. The information gathered here may turn helpful in the design of new strategies to unveil epigenetic failures behind HERV-triggered diseases, opening new possibilities for druggable targets and/or for extending the use of temelimab to treat other associated diseases.
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21
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Srinivasachar Badarinarayan S, Sauter D. Switching Sides: How Endogenous Retroviruses Protect Us from Viral Infections. J Virol 2021; 95:e02299-20. [PMID: 33883223 PMCID: PMC8315955 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02299-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Long disregarded as junk DNA or genomic dark matter, endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have turned out to represent important components of the antiviral immune response. These remnants of once-infectious retroviruses not only regulate cellular immune activation, but may even directly target invading viral pathogens. In this Gem, we summarize mechanisms by which retroviral fossils protect us from viral infections. One focus will be on recent advances in the role of ERVs as regulators of antiviral gene expression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Endogenous Retroviruses/genetics
- Endogenous Retroviruses/physiology
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Double-Stranded/genetics
- RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- Receptors, Pattern Recognition/metabolism
- Receptors, Virus/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Virus/metabolism
- Retroelements
- Viral Proteins/metabolism
- Virion/metabolism
- Virus Diseases/genetics
- Virus Diseases/immunology
- Virus Diseases/virology
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Srinivasachar Badarinarayan
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Sauter
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
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22
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Transcriptome Analyses Implicate Endogenous Retroviruses Involved in the Host Antiviral Immune System through the Interferon Pathway. Virol Sin 2021; 36:1315-1326. [PMID: 34009516 PMCID: PMC8131884 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-021-00370-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are the remains of ancient retroviruses that invaded our ancestors' germline cell and were integrated into the genome. The expression of HERVs has always been a cause for concern because of its association with various cancers and diseases. However, few previous studies have focused on specific activation of HERVs by viral infections. Our previous study has shown that dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) infection induces the transcription of a large number of abnormal HERVs loci; therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between exogenous viral infection and HERV activation further. In this study, we retrieved and reanalyzed published data on 21 transcriptomes of human cells infected with various viruses. We found that infection with different viruses could induce transcriptional activation of HERV loci. Through the comparative analysis of all viral datasets, we identified 43 key HERV loci that were up-regulated by DENV-2, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, Zika virus, measles virus, and West Nile virus infections. Furthermore, the neighboring genes of these HERVs were simultaneously up-regulated, and almost all such neighboring genes were interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), which are enriched in the host's antiviral immune response pathways. Our data supported the hypothesis that activation of HERVs, probably via an interferon-mediated mechanism, plays an important role in innate immunity against viral infections.
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23
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Wieland L, Engel K, Volkmer I, Krüger A, Posern G, Kornhuber ME, Staege MS, Emmer A. Overexpression of Endogenous Retroviruses and Malignancy Markers in Neuroblastoma Cell Lines by Medium-Induced Microenvironmental Changes. Front Oncol 2021; 11:637522. [PMID: 34026614 PMCID: PMC8138558 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.637522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the commonest solid tumor outside the central nervous system in infancy and childhood with a unique biological heterogeneity. In patients with advanced, metastasizing neuroblastoma, treatment failure and poor prognosis is often marked by resistance to chemo- or immunotherapy. Thus, identification of robust biomarkers seems essential for understanding tumor progression and developing effective therapy. Here, we have studied the expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) as potential targets in NB cell lines during stem-cell medium-induced microenvironmental change. Quantitative PCR revealed that relative expression of the HERV-K family and HERV-W1 ENV were increased in all three NB cell lines after incubation in stem-cell medium. Virus transcriptome analyses revealed the transcriptional activation of three endogenous retrovirus elements: HERV-R ENV (ERV3-1), HERV-E1 and HERV-Fc2 ENV (ERVFC1-1). Known malignancy markers in NB, e.g. proto-oncogenic MYC or MYCN were expressed highly heterogeneously in the three investigated NB cell lines with up-regulation of MYC and MYCN upon medium-induced microenvironmental change. In addition, SiMa cells exclusively showed a phenotype switching from loosely-adherent monolayers to low proliferating grape-like cellular aggregates, which was accompanied by an enhanced CD133 expression. Interestingly, the overexpression of HERV was associated with a significant elevation of immune checkpoint molecule CD200 in both quantitative PCR and RNA-seq analysis suggesting tumor escape mechanism in NB cell lines after incubation in serum-free stem cell medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Wieland
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Kristina Engel
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Anna Krüger
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Guido Posern
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Malte E Kornhuber
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Martin S Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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24
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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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25
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Römer C. Viruses and Endogenous Retroviruses as Roots for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:648629. [PMID: 33776642 PMCID: PMC7994506 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.648629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases are associated with chronic inflammation in the brain and periphery giving rise to a continuous imbalance of immune processes. Next to inflammation markers, activation of transposable elements, including long intrespersed nuclear elements (LINE) elements and endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), has been identified during neurodegenerative disease progression and even correlated with the clinical severity of the disease. ERVs are remnants of viral infections in the human genome acquired during evolution. Upon activation, they produce transcripts and the phylogenetically youngest ones are still able to produce viral-like particles. In addition, ERVs can bind transcription factors and modulate immune response. Being between own and foreign, ERVs are reviewed in the context of viral infections of the central nervous system, in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, this review tests the hypothesis that viral infection may be a trigger at the onset of neuroinflammation and that ERVs sustain the inflammatory imbalance by summarizing existing data of neurodegenerative diseases associated with viruses and/or ERVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Römer
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, The Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Berlin, Germany
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26
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HERV-K Gag RNA and Protein Levels Are Elevated in Malignant Regions of the Prostate in Males with Prostate Cancer. Viruses 2021; 13:v13030449. [PMID: 33802118 PMCID: PMC7999808 DOI: 10.3390/v13030449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Heightened expression of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) sequences has been associated with a range of malignancies, including prostate cancer, suggesting that they may serve as useful diagnostic or prognostic cancer biomarkers. We analysed the expression of HERV-K (Gag and Env/Np9 regions), HERV-E 4.1 (Pol and Env regions), HERV-H (Pol) and HERV-W (Gag) sequences in prostate cancer cells lines and normal prostate epithelial cells using qRT-PCR. HERV expression was also analysed in matched malignant and benign prostate tissue samples from men with prostate cancer (n = 27, median age 65.2 years (range 47-70)) and compared to prostate cancer-free male controls (n = 11). Prostate cancer epithelial cell lines exhibited a signature of HERV RNA overexpression, with all HERVs analysed, except HERV-E Pol, showing heightened expression in at least two, but more commonly all, cell lines analysed. Analysis of primary prostate material indicated increased expression of HERV-E Pol but decreased expression of HERV-E Env in both malignant and benign regions of the prostate in men with prostate cancer as compared to those without. Expression of HERV-K Gag was significantly higher in malignant regions of the prostate in men with prostate cancer as compared to matched benign regions and prostate cancer-free men (p < 0.001 for both), with 85.2% of prostate cancers donors showing malignancy-associated upregulation of HERV-K Gag RNA. HERV-K Gag protein was detected in 12/18 (66.7%) malignant tissues using immunohistochemistry, but only 1/18 (5.6%) benign tissue sections. Heightened expression of HERV-K Gag RNA and protein appears to be a sensitive and specific biomarker of prostate malignancy in this cohort of men with prostate carcinoma, supporting its potential utility as a non-invasive, adjunct clinical biomarker.
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27
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Zhang X, Muglia LJ. Baby's best Foe-riend: Endogenous retroviruses and the evolution of eutherian reproduction. Placenta 2021; 113:1-7. [PMID: 33685754 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
High maternal investment in pregnancy and the perinatal period are prominent features of eutherian reproduction. Viviparity increases offspring survival, favoring high maternal prenatal investment. Matrotrophy through the placenta reduces maternal investment at early pregnancy, allowing the mother to abort embryos of subpar quality, therefore reducing resources wastage. On the other hand, intimate maternal-fetal interplay enables the fetus to manipulate maternal physiology to acquire more resources. This parent-offspring conflict likely drives the evolution of eutherian placentation, which is facilitated by the endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), ancient retroviruses that invaded host genome millions of years ago. ERVs bring new genes and novel regulatory elements into host genome, contribute to maternal-fetal tolerance, placenta-specific cell type formation, trophoblast gene expression network rewiring, and the establishment of imprinting. However, retroviruses/ERVs can function as infectious pathogens that interfere with host immune and inflammation pathways and cause genomic instability. In addition, ERVs coopted for host function may contribute to pathogenesis during infections due to their susceptibility to mechanisms activated by the invading pathogens. ERVs have been implicated in multiple perinatal adverse outcomes, therefore, eutherians must have evolved control mechanisms to regulate their function. Here we propose the TRIM family as an important participant of host antiviral defense and a likely candidate that mediates the coevolution of ERVs and their eutherian host. TRIMs have been shown to interact with retroviruses during each step of the infectious cycle. Understanding TRIMs' role in ERV regulation in the placenta may provide insight to both the physiology and pathology of eutherian reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuzhe Zhang
- March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Human Genetics, Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Louis J Muglia
- March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Division of Human Genetics, Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
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28
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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: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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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29
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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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30
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Srinivasachar Badarinarayan S, Shcherbakova I, Langer S, Koepke L, Preising A, Hotter D, Kirchhoff F, Sparrer KMJ, Schotta G, Sauter D. HIV-1 infection activates endogenous retroviral promoters regulating antiviral gene expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:10890-10908. [PMID: 33021676 PMCID: PMC7641743 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are known to harbor cis-regulatory elements, their role in modulating cellular immune responses remains poorly understood. Using an RNA-seq approach, we show that several members of the ERV9 lineage, particularly LTR12C elements, are activated upon HIV-1 infection of primary CD4+ T cells. Intriguingly, HIV-1-induced ERVs harboring transcription start sites are primarily found in the vicinity of immunity genes. For example, HIV-1 infection activates LTR12C elements upstream of the interferon-inducible genes GBP2 and GBP5 that encode for broad-spectrum antiviral factors. Reporter assays demonstrated that these LTR12C elements drive gene expression in primary CD4+ T cells. In line with this, HIV-1 infection triggered the expression of a unique GBP2 transcript variant by activating a cryptic transcription start site within LTR12C. Furthermore, stimulation with HIV-1-induced cytokines increased GBP2 and GBP5 expression in human cells, but not in macaque cells that naturally lack the GBP5 gene and the LTR12C element upstream of GBP2. Finally, our findings suggest that GBP2 and GBP5 have already been active against ancient viral pathogens as they suppress the maturation of the extinct retrovirus HERV-K (HML-2). In summary, our findings uncover how human cells can exploit remnants of once-infectious retroviruses to regulate antiviral gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irina Shcherbakova
- Molecular Biology Division, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Simon Langer
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm 89081, Germany.,Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Lennart Koepke
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Andrea Preising
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Dominik Hotter
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | | | - Gunnar Schotta
- Molecular Biology Division, Biomedical Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Planegg-Martinsried 82152, Germany
| | - Daniel Sauter
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm 89081, Germany
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31
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Zhu T, Fernandez-Sesma A. Innate Immune DNA Sensing of Flaviviruses. Viruses 2020; 12:v12090979. [PMID: 32899347 PMCID: PMC7552040 DOI: 10.3390/v12090979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are arthropod-borne RNA viruses that have been used extensively to study host antiviral responses. Often selected just to represent standard single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses in early studies, the Flavivirus genus over time has taught us how truly unique it is in its remarkable ability to target not just the RNA sensory pathways but also the cytosolic DNA sensing system for its successful replication inside the host cell. This review summarizes the main developments on the unexpected antagonistic strategies utilized by different flaviviruses, with RNA genomes, against the host cyclic GAMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) cytosolic DNA sensing pathway in mammalian systems. On the basis of the recent advancements on this topic, we hypothesize that the mechanisms of viral sensing and innate immunity are much more fluid than what we had anticipated, and both viral and host factors will continue to be found as important factors contributing to the host innate immune system in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Zhu
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ana Fernandez-Sesma
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-212-241-5182
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32
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Dechaumes A, Bertin A, Sane F, Levet S, Varghese J, Charvet B, Gmyr V, Kerr-Conte J, Pierquin J, Arunkumar G, Pattou F, Perron H, Hober D. Coxsackievirus-B4 Infection Can Induce the Expression of Human Endogenous Retrovirus W in Primary Cells. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1335. [PMID: 32883004 PMCID: PMC7563422 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retrovirus W Envelope (HERV-W ENV) mRNA or protein can be found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and exocrine pancreas of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Further, previous observations have shown an association between enteroviral infection and development of T1D; specifically, coxsackievirus-B (CV-B) has been detected in the blood and pancreas of patients with T1D. Notably, viruses can activate HERV-W expression. Hence, we evaluated the effect of CV-B4 infection on HERV-W ENV mRNA expression. Primary human pancreatic ductal cells were obtained from five brain-dead donors. In the pancreatic cells of three donors, the HERV-W ENV mRNA level measured using RT-qPCR was upregulated upon CV-B4 infection. The HERV-W ENV protein was detected in the infected cells using the immunoblot assay. In human PBMCs inoculated with CV-B4 or when CV-B4 was incubated with an enhancing serum, the HERV-W ENV mRNA level was higher than the background RNA level. In monocyte-derived macrophages obtained from 5 of 13 donors, the HERV-W ENV mRNA level was higher in cultures inoculated with CV-B4 than in the control. Therefore, CV-B4 can upregulate or induce the transcription of a certain HERV-W ENV copy (or copies) in primary cell cultures, such as monocytes, macrophages, and pancreatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Dechaumes
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
| | - Antoine Bertin
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
| | - Famara Sane
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
| | - Sandrine Levet
- Geneuro Innovation, 69008 Lyon, France; (S.L.); (B.C.); (J.P.); (H.P.)
| | - Jennifer Varghese
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
- Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India;
| | - Benjamin Charvet
- Geneuro Innovation, 69008 Lyon, France; (S.L.); (B.C.); (J.P.); (H.P.)
| | - Valéry Gmyr
- U1190 Univ Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, 59000 Lille, France; (V.G.); (J.K.-C.); (F.P.)
| | - Julie Kerr-Conte
- U1190 Univ Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, 59000 Lille, France; (V.G.); (J.K.-C.); (F.P.)
| | - Justine Pierquin
- Geneuro Innovation, 69008 Lyon, France; (S.L.); (B.C.); (J.P.); (H.P.)
| | | | - François Pattou
- U1190 Univ Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, 59000 Lille, France; (V.G.); (J.K.-C.); (F.P.)
| | - Hervé Perron
- Geneuro Innovation, 69008 Lyon, France; (S.L.); (B.C.); (J.P.); (H.P.)
- Geneuro SA, 1228 Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculté de Médecine Laënnec, Université de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Didier Hober
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610 Univ Lille, CHU Lille, 59000 Lille, France; (A.D.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (J.V.)
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Tarlinton RE, Martynova E, Rizvanov AA, Khaiboullina S, Verma S. Role of Viruses in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis. Viruses 2020; 12:E643. [PMID: 32545816 PMCID: PMC7354629 DOI: 10.3390/v12060643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune inflammatory disease, where the underlying etiological cause remains elusive. Multiple triggering factors have been suggested, including environmental, genetic and gender components. However, underlying infectious triggers to the disease are also suspected. There is an increasing abundance of evidence supporting a viral etiology to MS, including the efficacy of interferon therapy and over-detection of viral antibodies and nucleic acids when compared with healthy patients. Several viruses have been proposed as potential triggering agents, including Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, John Cunningham virus and human endogenous retroviruses. These viruses are all near ubiquitous and have a high prevalence in adult populations (or in the case of the retroviruses are actually part of the genome). They can establish lifelong infections with periods of reactivation, which may be linked to the relapsing nature of MS. In this review, the evidence for a role for viral infection in MS will be discussed with an emphasis on immune system activation related to MS disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E. Tarlinton
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK;
| | - Ekaterina Martynova
- Insititute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (E.M.); (A.A.R.)
| | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Insititute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (E.M.); (A.A.R.)
| | | | - Subhash Verma
- School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA;
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Wang M, Qiu Y, Liu H, Liang B, Fan B, Zhou X, Liu D. Transcription profile of human endogenous retroviruses in response to dengue virus serotype 2 infection. Virology 2020; 544:21-30. [PMID: 32174511 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2020.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), the remains of retroviruses infection in our ancestors' germline cell over millions of years, take up about 8% of the human genome in total. HERV transcription has been detected in various cancers and diseases. However, the interaction between HERV expression and viral infection has not been fully elucidated. Here, we provided the first transcriptional profile of HERVs in dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) infected A549 cells by using high-throughput RNA sequencing. The results showed that a number of HERVs and human genes were significantly differentially expressed in response to DENV-2 infection. Further bioinformatic analyses indicated a correlation between HERVs and human genes. In particular, the genes near the HERVs activated by dengue infection were dominantly enriched in the antiviral immune response. Taken together, our findings suggest that activated HERVs may be involved in the cellular immune response to viral infection by coexpressing with nearby host genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Computational Virology Group, Center for Bacteria and Viruses Resources and Bioinformation, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Haizhou Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Computational Virology Group, Center for Bacteria and Viruses Resources and Bioinformation, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Bilin Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Computational Virology Group, Center for Bacteria and Viruses Resources and Bioinformation, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Baofeng Fan
- Airforce Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, 100142, China
| | - Xi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Di Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; Computational Virology Group, Center for Bacteria and Viruses Resources and Bioinformation, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830054, China.
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Ovejero T, Sadones O, Sánchez-Fito T, Almenar-Pérez E, Espejo JA, Martín-Martínez E, Nathanson L, Oltra E. Activation of Transposable Elements in Immune Cells of Fibromyalgia Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1366. [PMID: 32085571 PMCID: PMC7072917 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancements in nucleic acid sequencing technology combined with an unprecedented availability of metadata have revealed that 45% of the human genome constituted by transposable elements (TEs) is not only transcriptionally active but also physiologically necessary. Dysregulation of TEs, including human retroviral endogenous sequences (HERVs) has been shown to associate with several neurologic and autoimmune diseases, including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). However, no study has yet addressed whether abnormal expression of these sequences correlates with fibromyalgia (FM), a disease frequently comorbid with ME/CFS. The work presented here shows, for the first time, that, in fact, HERVs of the H, K and W types are overexpressed in immune cells of FM patients with or without comorbid ME/CFS. Patients with increased HERV expression (N = 14) presented increased levels of interferon (INF-β and INF-γ) but unchanged levels of TNF-α. The findings reported in this study could explain the flu-like symptoms FM patients present with in clinical practice, in the absence of concomitant infections. Future work aimed at identifying specific genomic loci differentially affected in FM and/or ME/CFS is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Ovejero
- School of Medicine, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
| | | | - Teresa Sánchez-Fito
- Escuela de Doctorado, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46008 Valencia, Spain; (T.S.-F.); (E.A.-P.)
| | - Eloy Almenar-Pérez
- Escuela de Doctorado, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46008 Valencia, Spain; (T.S.-F.); (E.A.-P.)
| | - José Andrés Espejo
- School of Biotechnology, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
| | | | - Lubov Nathanson
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA;
| | - Elisa Oltra
- School of Medicine, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Traslacional San Alberto Magno, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
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Tarlinton R, Wang B, Morandi E, Gran B, Khaiboullin T, Martynova E, Rizvanov A, Khaiboullina S. Differential Expression of HERV-W in Peripheral Blood in Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Patients in Two Different Ethnic Groups. Front Pharmacol 2020; 10:1645. [PMID: 32076404 PMCID: PMC7002920 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of the Human endogenous retrovirus W (HERV-W) group of inherited retroviruses has been consistently linked with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However most of the studies on this link have focused on European genetic groups with a very high risk of MS and it is not clear that this relationship holds for all ethnic groups. This study examined via qPCR the RNA expression in peripheral blood of HERV-W (the multiple sclerosis associated retrovirus variant MSRV) of MS patients and healthy controls from two ethnic groups with very different risk rates of MS. Population one was derived from the UK with a Northern European genetic background and an MS risk rate of 108/100,000, population two was derived from the republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation, with a mixed Russian (Eastern European) and Tartar (Turkic or Volga/Urals) population with an MS risk rate of 21-31/100,000. The Russian population displayed a significantly higher basal level of expression of MSRV in both healthy and MS individuals when compared to the British control population with a trend in the Russian population towards higher expression levels in MS patients than healthy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Tarlinton
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Belinda Wang
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Morandi
- Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, INSERM, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Bruno Gran
- Clinical Neurology Research Group, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham School of Medicine, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Timur Khaiboullin
- Republican Research and Clinical Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Kazan, Russia
| | - Ekatarina Martynova
- Insitute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Albert Rizvanov
- Insitute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Svetlana Khaiboullina
- Insitute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
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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: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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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38
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Rodrigues LS, da Silva Nali LH, Leal COD, Sabino EC, Lacerda EM, Kingdon CC, Nacul L, Romano CM. HERV-K and HERV-W transcriptional activity in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. AUTOIMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 2019; 10:12. [PMID: 32257068 PMCID: PMC7065355 DOI: 10.1186/s13317-019-0122-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/MS) is an incapacitating chronic disease that dramatically compromise the life quality. The CFS/ME pathogenesis is multifactorial, and it is believed that immunological, metabolic and environmental factors play a role. It is well documented an increased activity of Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) from different families in autoimmune and neurological diseases, making these elements good candidates for biomarkers or even triggers for such diseases. Methods Here the expression of Endogenous retroviruses K and W (HERV-K and HERV-W) was determined in blood from moderately and severely affected ME/CFS patients through real time PCR. Results HERV-K was overexpressed only in moderately affected individuals but HERV-W showed no difference. Conclusions This is the first report about HERV-K differential expression in moderate ME/CFS. Although the relationship between HERVs and ME/CFS has yet to be proven, the observation of this phenomenon deserves further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas S Rodrigues
- 1Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Luiz H da Silva Nali
- 1Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil.,2Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cibele O D Leal
- 1Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil
| | - Ester C Sabino
- 1Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil.,3Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eliana M Lacerda
- 4Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Caroline C Kingdon
- 4Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Luis Nacul
- 4Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Camila M Romano
- 1Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 470, São Paulo, SP 05403-000 Brazil.,5Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP (LIM52), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Schmidt N, Domingues P, Golebiowski F, Patzina C, Tatham MH, Hay RT, Hale BG. An influenza virus-triggered SUMO switch orchestrates co-opted endogenous retroviruses to stimulate host antiviral immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:17399-17408. [PMID: 31391303 PMCID: PMC6717285 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1907031116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) linkages to diverse cellular protein groups are critical to orchestrate resolution of stresses such as genome damage, hypoxia, or proteotoxicity. Defense against pathogen insult (often reliant upon host recognition of "non-self" nucleic acids) is also modulated by SUMO, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we used quantitative SILAC-based proteomics to survey pan-viral host SUMOylation responses, creating a resource of almost 600 common and unique SUMO remodeling events that are mounted during influenza A and B virus infections, as well as during viral innate immune stimulation. Subsequent mechanistic profiling focused on a common infection-induced loss of the SUMO-modified form of TRIM28/KAP1, a host transcriptional repressor. By integrating knockout and reconstitution models with system-wide transcriptomics, we provide evidence that influenza virus-triggered loss of SUMO-modified TRIM28 leads to derepression of endogenous retroviral (ERV) elements, unmasking this cellular source of "self" double-stranded (ds)RNA. Consequently, loss of SUMO-modified TRIM28 potentiates canonical cytosolic dsRNA-activated IFN-mediated defenses that rely on RIG-I, MAVS, TBK1, and JAK1. Intriguingly, although wild-type influenza A virus robustly triggers this SUMO switch in TRIM28, the induction of IFN-stimulated genes is limited unless expression of the viral dsRNA-binding protein NS1 is abrogated. This may imply a viral strategy to antagonize such a host response by sequestration of induced immunostimulatory ERV dsRNAs. Overall, our data reveal that a key nuclear mechanism that normally prevents aberrant expression of ERV elements (ERVs) has been functionally co-opted via a stress-induced SUMO switch to augment antiviral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Schmidt
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Domingues
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Filip Golebiowski
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Corinna Patzina
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael H Tatham
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Ronald T Hay
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin G Hale
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
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40
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pHERV-W envelope protein fuels microglial cell-dependent damage of myelinated axons in multiple sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:15216-15225. [PMID: 31213545 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1901283116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Axonal degeneration is central to clinical disability and disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). Myeloid cells such as brain-resident microglia and blood-borne monocytes are thought to be critically involved in this degenerative process. However, the exact underlying mechanisms have still not been clarified. We have previously demonstrated that human endogenous retrovirus type W (HERV-W) negatively affects oligodendroglial precursor cell (OPC) differentiation and remyelination via its envelope protein pathogenic HERV-W (pHERV-W) ENV (formerly MS-associated retrovirus [MSRV]-ENV). In this current study, we investigated whether pHERV-W ENV also plays a role in axonal injury in MS. We found that in MS lesions, pHERV-W ENV is present in myeloid cells associated with axons. Focusing on progressive disease stages, we could then demonstrate that pHERV-W ENV induces a degenerative phenotype in microglial cells, driving them toward a close spatial association with myelinated axons. Moreover, in pHERV-W ENV-stimulated myelinated cocultures, microglia were found to structurally damage myelinated axons. Taken together, our data suggest that pHERV-W ENV-mediated microglial polarization contributes to neurodegeneration in MS. Thus, this analysis provides a neurobiological rationale for a recently completed clinical study in MS patients showing that antibody-mediated neutralization of pHERV-W ENV exerts neuroprotective effects.
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Anti-HERV-W Env antibodies are correlated with seroreactivity against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in children and youths at T1D risk. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6282. [PMID: 31000760 PMCID: PMC6472397 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42788-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence points at the role that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) may play through the activation of genes integrated across the human genome. Although a variety of genetic/epigenetic mechanisms maintain most HERVs silenced, independent environmental stimuli including infections may transactivate endogenous elements favoring pathogenic conditions. Several studies associated exposures to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) with increased anti-MAP seroreactivity in T1D patients. Here, we assessed humoral responses against HERV envelope antigens (HERV-KEnv and HERV-WEnv) and four MAP-derived peptides with human homologs in distinct populations: Sardinian children at T1D risk (rT1D) (n = 14), rT1D from mainland Italy (n = 54) and Polish youths with T1D (n = 74) or obesity unrelated to autoimmunity (OB) (n = 26). Unlike Sardinian rT1D, youths displayed increased anti-HERV-WEnv Abs prevalence compared to age-matched OB or healthy controls (24.32 vs. 11.54%, p = 0.02 for Polish T1D/OB and 31.48 vs. 11.90%, p = 0.0025 for Italian rT1D). Anti-HERV-KEnv responses showed variable trends across groups. A strong correlation between Abs levels against HERV-WEnv and homologous peptides was mirrored by time-related Abs patterns. Elevated values registered for HERV-WEnv overlaped with or preceded the detection of T1D diagnostic autoantibodies. These results support the hypothesis of MAP infection leading to HERV-W antigen expression and enhancing the production of autoantibodies in T1D.
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Chen J, Foroozesh M, Qin Z. Transactivation of human endogenous retroviruses by tumor viruses and their functions in virus-associated malignancies. Oncogenesis 2019; 8:6. [PMID: 30643113 PMCID: PMC6331641 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-018-0114-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), viral-associated sequences, are normal components of the human genome and account for 8–9% of our genome. These original provirus sequences can be transactivated to produce functional products. Several reactivated HERVs have been implicated in cancers and autoimmune diseases. An emerging body of literature supports a potential role of reactivated HERVs in viral diseases, in particular viral-associated neoplasms. Demystifying studies on the mechanism(s) of HERV reactivation could provide a new framework for the development of treatment and prevention strategies targeting virus-associated tumors. Although available data suggest that co-infection by other viruses, such as Kaposi’s Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), may be a crucial driving force to transactivate HERV boom, the mechanisms of action of viral infection-induced HERV transactivation and the contributions of HERVs to viral oncogenesis warrant further studies. Here, we review viral co-infection contributes to HERVs transactivation with focus on human viral infection associated oncogenesis and diseases, including the abilities of viral regulators involved in HERV reactivation, and physiological effects of viral infection response on HERV reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Maryam Foroozesh
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, LA, 70125, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Qin
- Department of Pathology, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200120, Shanghai, China. .,Research Center for Translational Medicine and Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200120, Shanghai, China.
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Maze EA, Ham C, Kelly J, Ussher L, Almond N, Towers GJ, Berry N, Belshaw R. Variable Baseline Papio cynocephalus Endogenous Retrovirus (PcEV) Expression Is Upregulated in Acutely SIV-Infected Macaques and Correlated to STAT1 Expression in the Spleen. Front Immunol 2019; 10:901. [PMID: 31156613 PMCID: PMC6529565 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Retroviral replication leaves a DNA copy in the host cell chromosome, which over millions of years of infection of germline cells has led to 5% of the human genome sequence being comprised of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), distributed throughout an estimated 100,000 loci. Over time these loci have accrued mutations such as premature stop codons that prevent continued replication. However, many loci remain both transcriptionally and translationally active and ERVs have been implicated in interacting with the host immune system. Using archived plasma and tissue samples from past macaque studies, experimentally infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), the expression of one macaque ERV in response to acute viral infection was explored together with a measure of the innate immune response. Specifically, RNA levels were determined for (a) Papio cynocephalus Endogenous Retrovirus (PcEV), an ERV (b) STAT1, a key gene in the interferon signaling pathway, and (c) SIV, an exogenous pathogen. Bioinformatic analysis of DNA sequences of the PcEV loci within the macaque reference genome revealed the presence of open reading frames (ORFs) consistent with potential protein expression but not ERV replication. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of DNase-treated RNA extracts from plasma derived from acute SIV-infection detected PcEV RNA at low levels in 7 of 22 macaques. PcEV RNA levels were significantly elevated in PBMC and spleen samples recovered during acute SIV infection, but not in the thymus and lymph nodes. A strong positive correlation was identified between PcEV and STAT1 RNA levels in spleen samples recovered from SIV-positive macaques. One possibility is that SIV infection induces PcEV expression in infected lymphoid tissue that contributes to induction of an antiviral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Atangana Maze
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom.,Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics, National Institute of Standards and Control (NIBSC), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Ham
- Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics, National Institute of Standards and Control (NIBSC), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Kelly
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Lindsay Ussher
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Almond
- Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics, National Institute of Standards and Control (NIBSC), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Greg J Towers
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Berry
- Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics, National Institute of Standards and Control (NIBSC), Potters Bar, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Belshaw
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
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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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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: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [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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Oliveira J, Oliveira‐Maia AJ, Tamouza R, Brown AS, Leboyer M. Infectious and immunogenetic factors in bipolar disorder. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2017; 136:409-423. [PMID: 28832904 PMCID: PMC7159344 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the evidence supporting the association between infection and bipolar disorder (BD), the genetic vulnerability that mediates its effects has yet to be clarified. A genetic origin for the immune imbalance observed in BD, possibly involved in the mechanisms of pathogen escape, has, however, been suggested in recent studies. METHOD Here, we present a critical review based on a systematic literature search of articles published until December 2016 on the association between BD and infectious/immunogenetic factors. RESULTS We provide evidence suggesting that infectious insults could act as triggers of maladaptive immune responses in BD and that immunogenetic vulnerability may amplify the effects of such environmental risk factors, increasing susceptibility to subsequent environmental encounters. Quality of evidence was generally impaired by scarce attempt of replication, small sample sizes and lack of high-quality environmental measures. CONCLUSION Infection has emerged as a potential preventable cause of morbidity in BD, urging the need to better investigate components of the host-pathogen interaction in patients and at-risk subjects, and thus opening the way to novel therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Oliveira
- Champalimaud Clinical CentreChampalimaud Centre for the UnknownLisboaPortugal,Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - A. J. Oliveira‐Maia
- Champalimaud Clinical CentreChampalimaud Centre for the UnknownLisboaPortugal,Department of Psychiatry and Mental HealthCentro Hospitalar de Lisboa OcidentalLisboaPortugal,Champalimaud ResearchChampalimaud Centre for the UnknownLisboaPortugal,Faculdade de Ciências MédicasNOVA Medical SchoolUniversidade Nova de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - R. Tamouza
- Hôpital Saint LouisINSERM U1160Université Paris DiderotParisFrance,Fondation FondamentalCréteilFrance
| | - A. S. Brown
- Columbia University Medical CenterNew YorkNYUSA
| | - M. Leboyer
- Fondation FondamentalCréteilFrance,Department of PsychiatryAP‐HP, DHU PePSYHôpital Henri MondorUniversité Paris‐Est‐CréteilCréteilFrance,Translational PsychiatryINSERM U955CréteilFrance
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Kriesel JD, Bhetariya PJ, Chan BK, Wilson T, Fischer KF. Enrichment of Retroviral Sequences in Brain Tissue from Patients with Severe Demyelinating Diseases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 3. [PMID: 29202119 PMCID: PMC5707126 DOI: 10.16966/2473-1846.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Our group has used deep sequencing to identify viral RNA signatures in human brain specimens. We have previously used this method to detect HSV1, GBV-C, and measles virus sequence in brain tissue from deceased donors. Deep sequencing was performed on brain specimens from a cohort of patients who died with progressive forms of MS, revealing evidence of increased expression of some human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) domains. Objectives Identify RNA sequences and new antigens involved in the pathogenesis of MS Methods Deep sequencing was performed on RNA extracted from 12 progressive MS, 2 neuromyelitis optica (MS/NMO = demyelination group), 14 normal control, and 7 other neurologic disease (OND) control frozen brain specimens. The resulting single-ended 50 bp sequences (reads) were compared to a non redundant viral database representing (NRVDB) all 1.2 M viral records in GenBank. A retroviral gene catalog (RVGC) was prepared by identifying human genetic loci (GRCh37.p13) homologous to domains contained in the Gypsy 2.0 retro element database. Reads were aligned to the RVGC and human transcriptome with Bowtie2. The resulting viral hit rates (VHRs) were normalized by the number of high quality reads. The expression of human genes, including HERVs, was determined using Cufflinks. Comparisons between the groups were performed using the false discovery rate. Results Fifty to 131 million high quality reads per specimen were obtained. Comparison of the reads to the NRVDB suggested that the demyelination and OND specimens had higher VHRs against some retroviral sequences compared with the controls. This was confirmed by retroviral domain averaging. Gene expression analysis showed differential expression among some HERV sequences. Single read mapping revealed one envelope and one reverse transcriptase sequence record that were significantly enriched among the demyelination samples compared to the normal controls. Less restrictive (comprehensive) read mapping showed that 2 integrase, 2 core, 2 envelope, and 3 KRAB sequences that were overexpressed in the demyelination group. Conclusions These data demonstrate that some endogenous retroviral sequences are significantly overexpressed in these demyelination brain tissue specimens, but the magnitude of this overexpression is small. This is consistent with the concept of HERV activation as a part of the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Kriesel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, USA
| | - P J Bhetariya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, USA
| | - B K Chan
- Yale University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - T Wilson
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - K F Fischer
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Grandi N, Tramontano E. Type W Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV-W) Integrations and Their Mobilization by L1 Machinery: Contribution to the Human Transcriptome and Impact on the Host Physiopathology. Viruses 2017; 9:v9070162. [PMID: 28653997 PMCID: PMC5537654 DOI: 10.3390/v9070162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient infection relics constituting ~8% of our DNA. While HERVs’ genomic characterization is still ongoing, impressive amounts of data have been obtained regarding their general expression across tissues. Among HERVs, one of the most studied is the W group, which is the sole HERV group specifically mobilized by the long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) machinery, providing a source of novel insertions by retrotransposition of HERV-W processed pseudogenes, and comprising a member encoding a functional envelope protein coopted for human placentation. The HERV-W group has been intensively investigated for its putative role in several diseases, such as cancer, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Despite major interest in the link between HERV-W expression and human pathogenesis, no conclusive correlation has been demonstrated so far. In general, (i) the absence of a proper identification of the specific HERV-W sequences expressed in a given condition; and (ii) the lack of studies attempting to connect the various observations in the same experimental conditions are the major problems preventing the definitive assessment of the HERV-W impact on human physiopathology. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the HERV-W group presence within the human genome and its expression in physiological tissues as well as in the main pathological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato SS554, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato SS554, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
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Prehistoric enemies within: The contribution of human endogenous retroviruses to neurological diseases. Meeting report: "Second International Workshop on Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Disease", Washington DC, March 13th and 14th 2017. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2017. [PMID: 28641767 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Second International Workshop on Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Disease, Washington DC, March 13-14 2017 brought together international basic and clinical scientists investigating the involvement of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in complex human diseases.
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50
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Cooccurrences of Putative Endogenous Retrovirus-Associated Diseases. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:7973165. [PMID: 28326328 PMCID: PMC5343228 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7973165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
At least 8% of the human genome is composed of endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequences. ERVs play a role in placental morphogenesis and can sometimes protect the host against exogenous viruses. On the other hand, ERV reactivation has been found to be associated with different diseases, for example, multiple sclerosis (MS), schizophrenia, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Little is known about the cooccurrence of these diseases. If all these diseases are caused by ERV, antiretroviral therapy should perhaps also show some effects in the other diseases. Here, we summarize literature demonstrating that some ERV-associated diseases seem to appear together more often than expected, for example, MS and ALS, MS and T1D, MS and schizophrenia, or ALS and T1D. In contrast, some ERV-associated diseases seem to appear together less frequently than expected, for example, schizophrenia and T1D. Besides, some reports demonstrate amelioration of MS, ALS, or schizophrenia under antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. If such results could be confirmed in larger studies, alternative therapy strategies for ERV-associated diseases like MS and schizophrenia might be possible.
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