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Li T, Qian K, Han J, Liu Y, Jia L, Wang X, Li T, Zhang B, Li J, Li H, Dou L, Li L. Higher Expression of Human Endogenous Retrovirus-K was Observed in Peripheral B Lymphocytes of Leukemia and Lymphoma Patients. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2024; 40:268-279. [PMID: 38009220 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2023.0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematological malignant tumors (HMTs) are serious diseases that threaten human health and life with high mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to develop novel strategies for diagnosis and treatment. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have recently attracted increasing attention as potential targets for cancer diagnosis and therapy. In this study, we explored the association between HERV-K expression levels and HMTs development. Clinical data and peripheral blood samples were collected from 236 leukemia, 384 lymphoma patients, and 69 healthy controls. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of HERV-K gag, pol, and env genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells or different cell subpopulations. Differently expressed HERV-K genes were further tested by using deep sequencing method, and further analyzed with gene ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. B cell- and T cell-related cytokines in patients were also detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the expression levels of the HERV-K gag, pol, and env genes in patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls. There was a correlation between the expression level of HERV-K and the clinicopathological parameters of leukemia patients. HERV-K expression was increased in the B lymphocytes of leukemia and lymphoma patients, but not in the T cells or neutrophils. The GO and KEGG analyses showed that abnormal expression of the HERV-K locus in patients affected immune regulation. The analysis of cytokines proved that the B cell-related cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon-gamma, were significantly decreased in patients, while the T cell-related cytokines, including IL-3, IL-12, and TNF-β, were not significantly changed. In conclusion, HERV-K genes might participate in the occurrence and development of leukemia and lymphoma, and might be biomarkers for the detection or evaluation of leukemia and lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Kun Qian
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingwan Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yongjian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Bohan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Hanping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Dou
- Department of Hematology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Department of AIDS Research, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
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Simula ER, Zarbo IR, Arru G, Sechi E, Meloni R, Deiana GA, Solla P, Sechi LA. Antibody Response to HERV-K and HERV-W Envelope Epitopes in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:446. [PMID: 38203616 PMCID: PMC10778599 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010446] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis is an antibody-mediated autoimmune neurological disorder characterized by impaired neuromuscular junction transmission, resulting in muscle weakness. Recently, the involvement of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) in the pathophysiology of different immune-mediated and neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, has been demonstrated. We aimed to investigate potential immune system involvement related to humoral responses targeting specific epitopes of HERV-K and HERV-W envelope proteins in myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis patients were recruited in the Neurology Unit, while healthy controls were selected from the Blood Transfusion Center, both affiliated with AOU Sassari. Highly immunogenic antigens of HERV-K and HERV-W envelope proteins were identified using the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) online tool. These epitopes were utilized in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect autoantibodies in serum directed against these sequences. The study involved 39 Healthy Donors and 47 MG patients, further categorized into subgroups based on the presence of autoantibodies: MG-AchR Ab+ (n = 17), MG-MuSK Ab+ (n = 7), double seronegative patients (MG-DSN, n = 18), MG-LRP4 Ab + (n = 4), and one patient with no antibodies data (n = 1). Our findings revealed high levels of autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis patients directed against the HERV-K-env-su(19-37), HERV-K-env-su(109-126), HERV-K-env-su(164-186), HERV-W-env(93-108), HERV-W-env(129-14), and HERV-W-env(248-262) epitopes. Notably, these results remained highly significant even when patients were subdivided into MG-AchR Ab+ and MG-DSN subgroups. Correlation analysis further revealed significant positive associations between the antibody levels against HERV-K and HERV-W families in patients, suggesting a synergistic action of the two HERVs in the pathology context since this correlation is absent in the control group. This study marks the first identification of a specific humoral response directed against defined epitopes of HERV-K and HERV-W envelope proteins in myasthenia gravis patients. These findings lay the foundation for future investigations aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms driving this immune response. The detection of these autoantibodies suggests the potential for novel biomarkers, especially within the MG-DSN patient subgroup, addressing the need for new biomarkers in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Rita Simula
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Ignazio Roberto Zarbo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 10, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.R.Z.); (G.A.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (G.A.D.)
| | - Giannina Arru
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 10, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.R.Z.); (G.A.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (G.A.D.)
| | - Elia Sechi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 10, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.R.Z.); (G.A.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (G.A.D.)
| | - Rossella Meloni
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 10, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.R.Z.); (G.A.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (G.A.D.)
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Andrea Deiana
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 10, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.R.Z.); (G.A.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (G.A.D.)
| | - Paolo Solla
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 10, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (I.R.Z.); (G.A.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (G.A.D.)
| | - Leonardo Antonio Sechi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
- Struttura Complessa Microbiologia e Virologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Govindarajan V, Chandar J, Nath A, Shah AH. Metagenome analyses identify human endogenous retrovirus-K113 (HML-2) subtype in glioblastoma. Reply. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e176406. [PMID: 38099503 PMCID: PMC10721138 DOI: 10.1172/jci176406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vaidya Govindarajan
- Miller School of Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Jay Chandar
- Miller School of Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Avindra Nath
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ashish H. Shah
- Miller School of Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
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Shin W, Mun S, Han K. Human Endogenous Retrovirus-K (HML-2)-Related Genetic Variation: Human Genome Diversity and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2150. [PMID: 38136972 PMCID: PMC10742618 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) comprise a significant portion of the human genome, making up roughly 8%, a notable comparison to the 2-3% represented by coding sequences. Numerous studies have underscored the critical role and importance of HERVs, highlighting their diverse and extensive influence on the evolution of the human genome and establishing their complex correlation with various diseases. Among HERVs, the HERV-K (HML-2) subfamily has recently attracted significant attention, integrating into the human genome after the divergence between humans and chimpanzees. Its insertion in the human genome has received considerable attention due to its structural and functional characteristics and the time of insertion. Originating from ancient exogenous retroviruses, these elements succeeded in infecting germ cells, enabling vertical transmission and existing as proviruses within the genome. Remarkably, these sequences have retained the capacity to form complete viral sequences, exhibiting activity in transcription and translation. The HERV-K (HML-2) subfamily is the subject of active debate about its potential positive or negative effects on human genome evolution and various pathologies. This review summarizes the variation, regulation, and diseases in human genome evolution arising from the influence of HERV-K (HML-2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonseok Shin
- NGS Clinical Laboratory, Division of Cancer Research, Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea;
- Smart Animal Bio Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea;
| | - Seyoung Mun
- Smart Animal Bio Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea;
- College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Center for Bio-Medical Engineering Core Facility, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyudong Han
- Smart Animal Bio Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea;
- Center for Bio-Medical Engineering Core Facility, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioconvergence Engineering, Dankook University, Yongin 16890, Republic of Korea
- R&D Center, HuNBiome Co., Ltd., Seoul 08507, Republic of Korea
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Katoh H, Honda T. Roles of Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Endogenous Virus-Like Elements in Cancer Development and Innate Immunity. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1706. [PMID: 38136578 PMCID: PMC10741599 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121706] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections in the host genome. Although mutations and silencing mechanisms impair their original role in viral replication, HERVs are believed to play roles in various biological processes. Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) are non-LTR retrotransposons that have a lifecycle resembling that of retroviruses. Although LINE expression is typically silenced in somatic cells, it also contributes to various biological processes. The aberrant expression of HERVs and LINEs is closely associated with the development of cancer and/or immunological diseases, suggesting that they are integrated into various pathways related to the diseases. HERVs/LINEs control gene expression depending on the context as promoter/enhancer elements. Some RNAs and proteins derived from HERVs/LINEs have oncogenic potential, whereas others stimulate innate immunity. Non-retroviral endogenous viral elements (nrEVEs) are a novel type of virus-like element in the genome. nrEVEs may also be involved in host immunity. This article provides a current understanding of how these elements impact cellular physiology in cancer development and innate immunity, and provides perspectives for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Katoh
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan;
| | - Tomoyuki Honda
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan;
- Department of Virology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
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Ko EJ, Kim MH, Kim DY, An H, Leem SH, Choi YH, Kim HS, Cha HJ. The Role of Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV)-K119 env in THP-1 Monocytic Cell Differentiation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15566. [PMID: 37958549 PMCID: PMC10648273 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115566] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K was reportedly inserted into the human genome millions of years ago and is closely related to various diseases, including cancer and immune regulation. In our previous studies, CRISPR-Cas9-enabled knockout (KO) of the HERV-K env gene was found to potentially reduce cell proliferation, cell migration, and invasion in colorectal and ovarian cancer cell lines. The immune response involves the migration and invasion of cells and is similar to cancer; however, in certain ways, it is completely unlike cancer. Therefore, we induced HERV-K119 env gene KO in THP-1, a monocytic cell that can be differentiated into a macrophage, to investigate the role of HERV-K119 env in immune regulation. Cell migration and invasion were noted to be significantly increased in HERV-K119 env KO THP-1 cells than in MOCK, and these results were contrary to those of cancer cells. To identify the underlying mechanism of HERV-K119 env KO in THP-1 cells, transcriptome analysis and cytokine array analysis were conducted. Semaphorin7A (SEMA7A), which induces the production of cytokines in macrophages and monocytic cells and plays an important role in immune effector cell activation during an inflammatory immune response, was significantly increased in HERV-K119 env KO THP-1 cells. We also found that HERV-K119 env KO THP-1 cells expressed various macrophage-specific surface markers, suggesting that KO of HERV-K119 env triggers the differentiation of THP-1 cells from monocytic cells into macrophages. In addition, analysis of the expression of M1 and M2 macrophage markers showed that M1 macrophage marker cluster of differentiation 32 (CD32) was significantly increased in HERV-K119 env KO cells. These results suggest that HERV-K119 env is implicated in the differentiation of monocytic cells into M1 macrophages and plays important roles in the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ji Ko
- Departments of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 49267, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.K.); (M.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (H.A.)
| | - Min-Hye Kim
- Departments of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 49267, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.K.); (M.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (H.A.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea;
| | - Do-Ye Kim
- Departments of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 49267, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.K.); (M.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (H.A.)
| | - Hyojin An
- Departments of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 49267, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.K.); (M.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (H.A.)
| | - Sun-Hee Leem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yung Hyun Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongeui University, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea;
| | - Heui-Soo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 49241, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hee-Jae Cha
- Departments of Parasitology and Genetics, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 49267, Republic of Korea; (E.-J.K.); (M.-H.K.); (D.-Y.K.); (H.A.)
- Institute for Medical Science, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan 49267, Republic of Korea
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Balestrieri E, Corinaldesi E, Fabi M, Cipriani C, Giudice M, Conti A, Minutolo A, Petrone V, Fanelli M, Miele MT, Andreozzi L, Guida F, Filice E, Meli M, Grelli S, Rasi G, Toschi N, Torcetta F, Matteucci C, Lanari M, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P. Preliminary Evidence of the Differential Expression of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Kawasaki Disease and SARS-CoV-2-Associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15086. [PMID: 37894766 PMCID: PMC10606856 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015086] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a postinfectious sequela of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with some clinical features overlapping with Kawasaki disease (KD). Our research group and others have highlighted that the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 can trigger the activation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), which in turn induces inflammatory and immune reactions, suggesting HERVs as contributing factors in COVID-19 immunopathology. With the aim to identify new factors involved in the processes underlying KD and MIS-C, we analysed the transcriptional levels of HERVs, HERV-related genes, and immune mediators in children during the acute and subacute phases compared with COVID-19 paediatric patients and healthy controls. The results showed higher levels of HERV-W, HERV-K, Syn-1, and ASCT-1/2 in KD, MIS-C, and COV patients, while higher levels of Syn-2 and MFSD2A were found only in MIS-C patients. Moreover, KD and MIS-C shared the dysregulation of several inflammatory and regulatory cytokines. Interestingly, in MIS-C patients, negative correlations have been found between HERV-W and IL-10 and between Syn-2 and IL-10, while positive correlations have been found between HERV-K and IL-10. In addition, HERV-W expression positively correlated with the C-reactive protein. This pilot study supports the role of HERVs in inflammatory diseases, suggesting their interplay with the immune system in this setting. The elevated expression of Syn-2 and MFSD2A seems to be a distinctive trait of MIS-C patients, allowing to distinguish them from KD ones. The understanding of pathological mechanisms can lead to the best available treatment for these two diseases, limiting complications and serious outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Elena Corinaldesi
- Pediatric Unit, Ramazzini Hospital, 41012 Carpi, Italy; (E.C.); (F.T.)
| | - Marianna Fabi
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.A.); (F.G.); (E.F.); (M.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Chiara Cipriani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Martina Giudice
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Allegra Conti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (N.T.)
| | - Antonella Minutolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Vita Petrone
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Marialaura Fanelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Martino Tony Miele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Laura Andreozzi
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.A.); (F.G.); (E.F.); (M.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Fiorentina Guida
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.A.); (F.G.); (E.F.); (M.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Emanuele Filice
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.A.); (F.G.); (E.F.); (M.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Matteo Meli
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.A.); (F.G.); (E.F.); (M.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Sandro Grelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Guido Rasi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Nicola Toschi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (N.T.)
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | | | - Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
| | - Marcello Lanari
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (L.A.); (F.G.); (E.F.); (M.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.); (A.M.); (V.P.); (M.F.); (M.T.M.); (S.G.); (G.R.); (C.M.); (P.S.-V.)
- National Research Council, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Costa B, Vale N. Exploring HERV-K (HML-2) Influence in Cancer and Prospects for Therapeutic Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14631. [PMID: 37834078 PMCID: PMC10572383 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This review investigates the intricate role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in cancer development and progression, explicitly focusing on HERV-K (HML-2). This paper sheds light on the latest research advancements and potential treatment strategies by examining the historical context of HERVs and their involvement in critical biological processes such as embryonic development, immune response, and disease progression. This review covers computational modeling for drug-target binding assessment, systems biology modeling for simulating HERV-K viral cargo dynamics, and using antiviral drugs to combat HERV-induced diseases. The findings presented in this review contribute to our understanding of HERV-mediated disease mechanisms and provide insights into future therapeutic approaches. They emphasize why HERV-K holds significant promise as a biomarker and a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Costa
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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Hosseiniporgham S, Sechi LA. Anti-HERV-K Drugs and Vaccines, Possible Therapies against Tumors. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040751. [PMID: 37112663 PMCID: PMC10144246 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The footprint of human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), specifically HERV-K, has been found in malignancies, such as melanoma, teratocarcinoma, osteosarcoma, breast cancer, lymphoma, and ovary and prostate cancers. HERV-K is characterized as the most biologically active HERV due to possession of open reading frames (ORF) for all Gag, Pol, and Env genes, which enables it to be more infective and obstructive towards specific cell lines and other exogenous viruses, respectively. Some factors might contribute to carcinogenicity and at least one of them has been recognized in various tumors, including overexpression/methylation of long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1), HERV-K Gag, and Env genes themselves plus their transcripts and protein products, and HERV-K reverse transcriptase (RT). Therapies effective for HERV-K-associated tumors mostly target invasive autoimmune responses or growth of tumors through suppression of HERV-K Gag or Env protein and RT. To design new therapeutic options, more studies are needed to better understand whether HERV-K and its products (Gag/Env transcripts and HERV-K proteins/RT) are the initiators of tumor formation or just the disorder’s developers. Accordingly, this review aims to present evidence that highlights the association between HERV-K and tumorigenicity and introduces some of the available or potential therapies against HERV-K-induced tumors.
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10
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Stricker E, Peckham-Gregory EC, Scheurer ME. HERVs and Cancer-A Comprehensive Review of the Relationship of Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Human Cancers. Biomedicines 2023; 11:936. [PMID: 36979914 PMCID: PMC10046157 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability and genetic mutations can lead to exhibition of several cancer hallmarks in affected cells such as sustained proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppression, activated invasion, deregulation of cellular energetics, and avoidance of immune destruction. Similar biological changes have been observed to be a result of pathogenic viruses and, in some cases, have been linked to virus-induced cancers. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), once external pathogens, now occupy more than 8% of the human genome, representing the merge of genomic and external factors. In this review, we outline all reported effects of HERVs on cancer development and discuss the HERV targets most suitable for cancer treatments as well as ongoing clinical trials for HERV-targeting drugs. We reviewed all currently available reports of the effects of HERVs on human cancers including solid tumors, lymphomas, and leukemias. Our review highlights the central roles of HERV genes, such as gag, env, pol, np9, and rec in immune regulation, checkpoint blockade, cell differentiation, cell fusion, proliferation, metastasis, and cell transformation. In addition, we summarize the involvement of HERV long terminal repeat (LTR) regions in transcriptional regulation, creation of fusion proteins, expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and promotion of genome instability through recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Stricker
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
| | | | - Michael E. Scheurer
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
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11
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Tovo PA, Marozio L, Abbona G, Calvi C, Frezet F, Gambarino S, Dini M, Benedetto C, Galliano I, Bergallo M. Pregnancy Is Associated with Impaired Transcription of Human Endogenous Retroviruses and of TRIM28 and SETDB1, Particularly in Mothers Affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030710. [PMID: 36992419 PMCID: PMC10051116 DOI: 10.3390/v15030710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence highlights the pathogenetic role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in eliciting and maintaining multiple sclerosis (MS). Epigenetic mechanisms, such as those regulated by TRIM 28 and SETDB1, are implicated in HERV activation and in neuroinflammatory disorders, including MS. Pregnancy markedly improves the course of MS, but no study explored the expressions of HERVs and of TRIM28 and SETDB1 during gestation. Using a polymerase chain reaction real-time Taqman amplification assay, we assessed and compared the transcriptional levels of pol genes of HERV-H, HERV-K, HERV-W; of env genes of Syncytin (SYN)1, SYN2, and multiple sclerosis associated retrovirus (MSRV); and of TRIM28 and SETDB1 in peripheral blood and placenta from 20 mothers affected by MS; from 27 healthy mothers, in cord blood from their neonates; and in blood from healthy women of child-bearing age. The HERV mRNA levels were significantly lower in pregnant than in nonpregnant women. Expressions of all HERVs were downregulated in the chorion and in the decidua basalis of MS mothers compared to healthy mothers. The former also showed lower mRNA levels of HERV-K-pol and of SYN1, SYN2, and MSRV in peripheral blood. Significantly lower expressions of TRIM28 and SETDB1 also emerged in pregnant vs. nonpregnant women and in blood, chorion, and decidua of mothers with MS vs. healthy mothers. In contrast, HERV and TRIM28/SETDB1 expressions were comparable between their neonates. These results show that gestation is characterized by impaired expressions of HERVs and TRIM28/SETDB1, particularly in mothers with MS. Given the beneficial effects of pregnancy on MS and the wealth of data suggesting the putative contribution of HERVs and epigenetic processes in the pathogenesis of the disease, our findings may further support innovative therapeutic interventions to block HERV activation and to control aberrant epigenetic pathways in MS-affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Angelo Tovo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.-A.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Luca Marozio
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology 1, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Abbona
- Pathology Unit, Department Laboratory Medicine, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Calvi
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Frezet
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology 1, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Stefano Gambarino
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Maddalena Dini
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Benedetto
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology 1, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Ilaria Galliano
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bergallo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.-A.T.); (M.B.)
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12
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Liu Y, Niu Y, Ma X, Xiang Y, Wu D, Li W, Wang T, Niu D. Porcine endogenous retrovirus: classification, molecular structure, regulation, function, and potential risk in xenotransplantation. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:60. [PMID: 36790562 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-00984-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Xenotransplantation with porcine organs has been recognized as a promising solution to alleviate the shortage of organs for human transplantation. Porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV), whose proviral DNAs are integrated in the genome of all pig breeds, is a main microbiological risk for xenotransplantation. Over the last decades, some advances on PERVs' studies have been achieved. Here, we reviewed the current progress of PERVs including the classification, molecular structure, regulation, function in immune system, and potential risk in xenotransplantation. We also discussed the problem of insufficient study on PERVs as well as the questions need to be answered in the future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China
| | - Yifan Niu
- College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China
| | - Xiang Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China.,College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.,Jinhua Jinfan Feed Co., Ltd, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321000, China
| | - Yun Xiang
- Jinhua Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321000, China
| | - De Wu
- Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinhua Development Zone, Jinhua, Zhejiang, 321000, China
| | - Weifen Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
| | - Tao Wang
- Nanjing Kgene Genetic Engineering Co., Ltd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211300, China.
| | - Dong Niu
- College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Provincial Engineering Research Center for Animal Health Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311300, China.
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13
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Tovo PA, Garazzino S, Savino F, Daprà V, Pruccoli G, Dini M, Filisetti G, Funiciello E, Galliano I, Bergallo M. Expressions of Type I and III Interferons, Endogenous Retroviruses, TRIM28, and SETDB1 in Children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:1197-1217. [PMID: 36826024 PMCID: PMC9954910 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45020079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interferons (IFNs) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) play essential roles for the control of viral infections. Their expression in infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is poorly defined. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent 8% of our genome and modulate inflammatory and immune reactions. TRIM28 and SETDB1 participate in the epigenetic regulation of genes involved in the immune response, including IFNs and HERVs. No study has explored the expression of HERVs, TRIM28, and SETDB1 during RSV bronchiolitis. We assessed, through a PCR real-time Taqman amplification assay, the transcription levels of six IFN-I ISGs, four IFNλs, the pol genes of HERV-H, -K, and -W families, the env genes of Syncytin (SYN)1 and SYN2, and of TRIM28/SETDB1 in whole blood from 37 children hospitalized for severe RSV bronchiolitis and in healthy children (HC). The expression of most IFN-I ISGs was significantly higher in RSV+ patients than in age-matched HC, but it was inhibited by steroid therapy. The mRNA concentrations of IFN-λs were comparable between patients and age-matched HC. This lack of RSV-driven IFN-III activation may result in the defective protection of the airway mucosal surface leading to severe bronchiolitis. The expression of IFN-III showed a positive correlation with age in HC, that could account for the high susceptibility of young children to viral respiratory tract infections. The transcription levels of every HERV gene were significantly lower in RSV+ patients than in HC, while the expressions of TRIM28/SETDB1 were overlapping. Given the negative impact of HERVs and the positive effects of TRIM28/SETDB1 on innate and adaptive immune responses, the downregulation of the former and the normal expression of the latter may contribute to preserving immune functions against infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Angelo Tovo
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence: Correspondence: (P.-A.T.); (M.B.)
| | - Silvia Garazzino
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Savino
- Early Infancy Special Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Care, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Daprà
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Pruccoli
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Maddalena Dini
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giacomo Filisetti
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Early Infancy Special Care Unit, Department of Pediatric Care, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Funiciello
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Ilaria Galliano
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bergallo
- Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence: Correspondence: (P.-A.T.); (M.B.)
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14
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Fan TJ, Cui J. Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Diseases. Subcell Biochem 2023; 106:403-439. [PMID: 38159236 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-40086-5_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), which are conserved sequences of ancient retroviruses, are widely distributed in the human genome. Although most HERVs have been rendered inactive by evolution, some have continued to exhibit important cytological functions. HERVs in the human genome perform dual functions: on the one hand, they are involved in important physiological processes such as placental development and immune regulation; on the other hand, their aberrant expression is closely associated with the pathological processes of several diseases, such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. HERVs can also regulate a variety of host cellular functions, including the expression of protein-coding genes and regulatory elements that have evolved from HERVs. Here, we present recent research on the roles of HERVs in viral infections and cancers, including the dysregulation of HERVs in various viral infections, HERV-induced epigenetic modifications of histones (such as methylation and acetylation), and the potential mechanisms of HERV-mediated antiviral immunity. We also describe therapies to improve the efficacy of vaccines and medications either by directly or indirectly targeting HERVs, depending on the HERV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Jiao Fan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Cui
- CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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15
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Rangel SC, da Silva MD, da Silva AL, dos Santos JDMB, Neves LM, Pedrosa A, Rodrigues FM, Trettel CDS, Furtado GE, de Barros MP, Bachi ALL, Romano CM, Nali LHDS. Human endogenous retroviruses and the inflammatory response: A vicious circle associated with health and illness. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1057791. [PMID: 36518758 PMCID: PMC9744114 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1057791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are derived from ancient exogenous retroviral infections that have infected our ancestors' germline cells, underwent endogenization process, and were passed throughout the generations by retrotransposition and hereditary transmission. HERVs comprise 8% of the human genome and are critical for several physiological activities. Yet, HERVs reactivation is involved in pathological process as cancer and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the multiple aspects of HERVs' role within the human genome, as well as virological and molecular aspects, and their fusogenic property. We also discuss possibilities of how the HERVs are possibly transactivated and participate in modulating the inflammatory response in health conditions. An update on their role in several autoimmune, inflammatory, and aging-related diseases is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Coelho Rangel
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Lopes da Silva
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Lucas Melo Neves
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Pedrosa
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, (3004-504), Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Caio dos Santos Trettel
- Interdisciplinary Program in Health Sciences, Institute of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports (ICAFE), Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Applied Research Institute, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços – S. Martinho do Bispo, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marcelo Paes de Barros
- Interdisciplinary Program in Health Sciences, Institute of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports (ICAFE), Cruzeiro do Sul University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André Luis Lacerda Bachi
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Malta Romano
- Laboratório de Virologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil,Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP (LIM52), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique Da Silva Nali
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil,*Correspondence: Luiz Henrique Da Silva Nali, ;
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16
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Zhou JG, Zeng Y, Wang H, Jin SH, Wang YJ, He S, Frey B, Fietkau R, Hecht M, Ma H, Zhang W, Gaipl US. Identification of an endogenous retroviral signature to predict anti-PD1 response in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma: an integrated analysis of three clinical trials. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2022; 14:17588359221126154. [PMID: 37614979 PMCID: PMC10442641 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221126154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endogenous retrovirus (ERV) elements are genomic footprints of ancestral retroviral infections within the human genome. Previous studies have demonstrated that dysregulated ERV transcription level is associated with immune cell infiltration in cancers, but the association between ERV expression and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade response is currently unraveled for solid cancers, such as advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods ERV mRNA profiles were obtained from three clinical trials of ccRCC where the patients were treated with anti-PD-1 (CM-009, CM-010, CM-025, and TCGA-KIRC data). Patients treated with nivolumab were divided into training and test cohort, while the TCGA-KIRC cohort was used as an external validation. Univariate Cox regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were used to establish the signature. Immune cell infiltration analysis and gene set enrichment analysis were performed to explore potential biological mechanisms. Results An ERV signature was established based on nine ERV expression patterns. In the training cohort, the median overall survival in the low- and high-risk group was 45.2 and 19.6 months [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.49, 0.32-0.75, p < 0.001], respectively. The results were confirmed in the test (HR = 0.41, 0.20-0.83, p = 0.013), and in the TCGA-KIRC cohort (HR = 0.55, 0.34-0.90, p = 0.017). Moreover, in the CM-025 cohort, the low-risk group that received nivolumab had a more favorable survival compared with those that received the mTOR inhibitor everolimus, while no significant differences were observed in the high-risk group. CD8+ T cells were enriched in the low-risk group, while immune suppressive pathways were suppressed. Conclusion The newly identified ERV signature is not only a prognostic, but also a predictive biomarker for advanced ccRCC patients who received anti-PD-1 therapy, which can guide personalized treatment in cancer patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Guo Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The second affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, GermanyDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yu Zeng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Thoracic Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Su-Han Jin
- Department of Orthodontic, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Yun-Jia Wang
- Department of Oncology, The second affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Sisi He
- Department of Oncology, The second affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Benjamin Frey
- Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, GermanyDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Hecht
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hu Ma
- Director of Department of Oncology, Vice President of the second affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Intersection of Xinlong And Xinpu Avenue, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Wenchuan Zhang
- Director of Department of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Udo S. Gaipl
- Head of Translational Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsstraße 27, Erlangen, 91054, Germany.Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
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17
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Temerozo JR, Fintelman-Rodrigues N, Dos Santos MC, Hottz ED, Sacramento CQ, de Paula Dias da Silva A, Mandacaru SC, Dos Santos Moraes EC, Trugilho MRO, Gesto JSM, Ferreira MA, Saraiva FB, Palhinha L, Martins-Gonçalves R, Azevedo-Quintanilha IG, Abrantes JL, Righy C, Kurtz P, Jiang H, Tan H, Morel C, Bou-Habib DC, Bozza FA, Bozza PT, Souza TML. Human endogenous retrovirus K in the respiratory tract is associated with COVID-19 physiopathology. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:65. [PMID: 35459226 PMCID: PMC9024070 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01260-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Critically ill 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients under invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) are 10 to 40 times more likely to die than the general population. Although progression from mild to severe COVID-19 has been associated with hypoxia, uncontrolled inflammation, and coagulopathy, the mechanisms involved in the progression to severity are poorly understood. METHODS The virome of tracheal aspirates (TA) from 25 COVID-19 patients under IMV was assessed through unbiased RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and correlation analyses were conducted using available clinical data. Unbiased sequences from nasopharyngeal swabs (NS) from mild cases and TA from non-COVID patients were included in our study for further comparisons. RESULTS We found higher levels and differential expression of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) genes in TA from critically ill and deceased patients when comparing nasopharyngeal swabs from mild cases to TA from non-COVID patients. In critically ill patients, higher HERV-K levels were associated with early mortality (within 14 days of diagnosis) in the intensive care unit. Increased HERV-K expression in deceased patients was associated with IL-17-related inflammation, monocyte activation, and an increased consumption of clotting/fibrinolysis factors. Moreover, increased HERV-K expression was detected in human primary monocytes from healthy donors after experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. CONCLUSION Our data implicate the levels of HERV-K transcripts in the physiopathology of COVID-19 in the respiratory tract of patients under invasive mechanical ventilation. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jairo R Temerozo
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT/NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Natalia Fintelman-Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Monique Cristina Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eugenio D Hottz
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Immunothrombosis, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carolina Q Sacramento
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Aline de Paula Dias da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Samuel Coelho Mandacaru
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Emilly Caroline Dos Santos Moraes
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Monique R O Trugilho
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Toxinology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - João S M Gesto
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Alves Ferreira
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Felipe Betoni Saraiva
- Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos (Bio-Manguinhos), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lohanna Palhinha
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Remy Martins-Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana L Abrantes
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Cássia Righy
- Paulo Niemeyer State Brain Institute (IECPN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Pedro Kurtz
- Paulo Niemeyer State Brain Institute (IECPN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hui Jiang
- MGI Tech Co. Ltd, Building No.11, Beishan Industrial Zone, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Hongdong Tan
- MGI Tech Co. Ltd, Building No.11, Beishan Industrial Zone, Yantian District, Shenzhen, 518083, China
| | - Carlos Morel
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Dumith Chequer Bou-Habib
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- National Institute for Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT/NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernando A Bozza
- Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patrícia T Bozza
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thiago Moreno L Souza
- Laboratory of Immunopharmacology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
- Center for Technological Development in Health (CDTS), National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Disease Of Neglected Poppulations (INCT/IDPN), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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18
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Lecuelle J, Favier L, Fraisse C, Lagrange A, Kaderbhai C, Boidot R, Chevrier S, Joubert P, Routy B, Truntzer C, Ghiringhelli F. MER4 endogenous retrovirus correlated with better efficacy of anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy in non-small cell lung cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-004241. [PMID: 35277462 PMCID: PMC8919440 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are highly expressed in various cancer types and are associated with increased innate immune response and better efficacy of antiprogrammed death-1/ligand-1 (anti-PD1/PD-L1)-directed immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in preclinical models. However, their role in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unknown. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of patients receiving ICI for advanced NSCLC in two independent cohorts. ERV expression was determined by RNA sequencing. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) under ICI. The secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS) from ICI initiation. We studied expression of 6205 ERVs. Multivariate Cox regression model with lasso penalty was estimated on the training set to select ERVs significantly associated with survival. The predictive power of these ERVs was compared with that of previously described transcriptomic signatures. Results We studied two independent cohorts of 89 and 70 patients, used as training and validation sets. Clinicopathological characteristics included 75% of patients with non-squamous NSCLC. We selected four ERVs significantly associated with PFS. Only high MER4 ERV was associated with better PFS and OS in both cohorts. From a biological point of view, high MER4 expression is associated with higher infiltration of eosinophils and inflammatory gene signatures, while low MER4 expression is associated with enrichment in metabolism and proliferation signatures. Adding MER4 to previously described transcriptomic signatures of response to ICI improved their predictive power. Conclusions MER4 ERV expression is useful to stratify risk and predict PFS and OS in patients treated with ICI for NSCLC. It also improves the predictive power of other known transcriptomic signatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Lecuelle
- Platform of Transfer in Biological Oncology, Georges-Francois Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- University of Burgundy-Franche Comté, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
| | - Laure Favier
- Departmnt of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
| | - Cléa Fraisse
- Departmnt of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
| | - Aurélie Lagrange
- Departmnt of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
| | - Coureche Kaderbhai
- Departmnt of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
| | - Romain Boidot
- Department of Biopathology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
| | - Sandy Chevrier
- Department of Biopathology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
| | - Philippe Joubert
- Department of Pathology, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bertrand Routy
- Department of Medicine Montréal, Division of Oncology, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Caroline Truntzer
- Platform of Transfer in Biological Oncology, Georges-Francois Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- University of Burgundy-Franche Comté, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
| | - Francois Ghiringhelli
- Platform of Transfer in Biological Oncology, Georges-Francois Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- Genomic and Immunotherapy Medical Institute, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- University of Burgundy-Franche Comté, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- Departmnt of Medical Oncology, Georges François Leclerc Cancer Center - UNICANCER, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
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19
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Müller MD, Holst PJ, Nielsen KN. A Systematic Review of Expression and Immunogenicity of Human Endogenous Retroviral Proteins in Cancer and Discussion of Therapeutic Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1330. [PMID: 35163254 PMCID: PMC8836156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections that have become fixed in the human genome. While HERV genes are typically silenced in healthy somatic cells, there are numerous reports of HERV transcription and translation across a wide spectrum of cancers, while T and B cell responses against HERV proteins have been detected in cancer patients. This review systematically categorizes the published evidence on the expression of and adaptive immune response against specific HERVs in distinct cancer types. A systematic literature search was performed using Medical Search Headings (MeSH) in the PubMed/Medline database. Papers were included if they described the translational activity of HERVs. We present multiple tables that pair the protein expression of specific HERVs and cancer types with information on the quality of the evidence. We find that HERV-K is the most investigated HERV. HERV-W (syncytin-1) is the second-most investigated, while other HERVs have received less attention. From a therapeutic perspective, HERV-K and HERV-E are the only HERVs with experimental demonstration of effective targeted therapies, but unspecific approaches using antiviral and demethylating agents in combination with chemo- and immunotherapies have also been investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikkel Dons Müller
- Institute of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark;
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20
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Rodríguez-Frías F, Quer J, Tabernero D, Cortese MF, Garcia-Garcia S, Rando-Segura A, Pumarola T. Microorganisms as Shapers of Human Civilization, from Pandemics to Even Our Genomes: Villains or Friends? A Historical Approach. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2518. [PMID: 34946123 PMCID: PMC8708650 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Universal history is characterized by continuous evolution, in which civilizations are born and die. This evolution is associated with multiple factors, among which the role of microorganisms is often overlooked. Viruses and bacteria have written or decisively contributed to terrible episodes of history, such as the Black Death in 14th century Europe, the annihilation of pre-Columbian American civilizations, and pandemics such as the 1918 Spanish flu or the current COVID-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, it is clear that we could not live in a world without these tiny beings. Endogenous retroviruses have been key to our evolution and for the regulation of gene expression, and the gut microbiota helps us digest compounds that we could not otherwise process. In addition, we have used microorganisms to preserve or prepare food for millennia and more recently to obtain drugs such as antibiotics or to develop recombinant DNA technologies. Due to the enormous importance of microorganisms for our survival, they have significantly influenced the population genetics of different human groups. This paper will review the role of microorganisms as "villains" who have been responsible for tremendous mortality throughout history but also as "friends" who help us survive and evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Rodríguez-Frías
- Clinical Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Vall d’Hebron Institut Recerca-Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (M.F.C.); (S.G.-G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Liver Pathology Unit, Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Josep Quer
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Liver Unit, Liver Disease Laboratory-Viral Hepatitis, Vall d’Hebron Institut Recerca, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Tabernero
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Maria Francesca Cortese
- Clinical Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Vall d’Hebron Institut Recerca-Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (M.F.C.); (S.G.-G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Selene Garcia-Garcia
- Clinical Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Vall d’Hebron Institut Recerca-Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (M.F.C.); (S.G.-G.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Ariadna Rando-Segura
- Liver Pathology Unit, Departments of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Tomas Pumarola
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
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21
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A Comprehensive Analysis of Human Endogenous Retroviruses HERV-K (HML.2) from Teratocarcinoma Cell Lines and Detection of Viral Cargo in Microvesicles. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212398. [PMID: 34830279 PMCID: PMC8619701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
About 8% of our genome is composed of sequences from Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs). The HERV-K (HML.2) family, here abbreviated HML.2, is able to produce virus particles that were detected in cell lines, malignant tumors and in autoimmune diseases. Parameters and properties of HML.2 released from teratocarcinoma cell lines GH and Tera-1 were investigated in detail. In most experiments, analyzed viruses were purified by density gradient centrifugation. HML.2 structural proteins, reverse transcriptase (RT) activity, viral RNA (vRNA) and particle morphology were analyzed. The HML.2 markers were predominantly detected in fractions with a buoyant density of 1.16 g/cm3. Deglycosylation of TM revealed truncated forms of transmembrane (TM) protein. Free virions and extracellular vesicles (presumably microvesicles—MVs) with HML.2 elements, including budding intermediates, were detected by electron microscopy. Viral elements and assembled virions captured and exported by MVs can boost specific immune responses and trigger immunomodulation in recipient cells. Sequencing of cDNA clones demonstrated exclusive presence of HERV-K108 env in HML.2 from Tera-1 cells. Not counting two recombinant variants, four known env sequences were found in HML.2 from GH cells. Obtained results shed light on parameters and morphology of HML.2. A possible mechanism of HML.2-induced diseases is discussed.
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22
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Marston JL, Greenig M, Singh M, Bendall ML, Duarte RR, Feschotte C, Iñiguez LP, Nixon DF. SARS-CoV-2 infection mediates differential expression of human endogenous retroviruses and long interspersed nuclear elements. JCI Insight 2021; 6:147170. [PMID: 34731091 PMCID: PMC8783694 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.147170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 promotes an imbalanced host response that underlies the development and severity of COVID-19. Infections with viruses are known to modulate transposable elements (TEs), which can exert downstream effects by modulating host gene expression, innate immune sensing, or activities encoded by their protein products. We investigated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on TE expression using RNA-Seq data from cell lines and from primary patient samples. Using a bioinformatics tool, Telescope, we showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection led to upregulation or downregulation of TE transcripts, a subset of which differed from cells infected with SARS, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV or MERS), influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3). Differential expression of key retroelements specifically identified distinct virus families, such as Coronaviridae, with unique retroelement expression subdividing viral species. Analysis of ChIP-Seq data showed that TEs differentially expressed in SARS-CoV-2 infection were enriched for binding sites for transcription factors involved in immune responses and for pioneer transcription factors. In samples from patients with COVID-19, there was significant TE overexpression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and downregulation in PBMCs. Thus, although the host gene transcriptome is altered by infection with SARS-CoV-2, the retrotranscriptome may contain the most distinctive features of the cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jez L Marston
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Matthew Greenig
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Manvendra Singh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States of America
| | - Matthew L Bendall
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Rodrigo Rr Duarte
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Cédric Feschotte
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States of America
| | - Luis P Iñiguez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Douglas F Nixon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, United States of America
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23
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Steiner MC, Marston JL, Iñiguez LP, Bendall ML, Chiappinelli KB, Nixon DF, Crandall KA. Locus-Specific Characterization of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Expression in Prostate, Breast, and Colon Cancers. Cancer Res 2021; 81:3449-3460. [PMID: 33941616 PMCID: PMC8260468 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have been implicated in a variety of diseases including cancers. Recent research implicates HERVs in epigenetic gene regulation. Here we utilize a recently developed bioinformatics tool for identifying HERV expression at the locus-specific level to identify differential expression of HERVs in matched tumor-normal RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Data from 52 prostate cancer, 111 breast cancer, and 24 colon cancer cases were analyzed. Locus-specific analysis identified active HERV elements and differentially expressed HERVs in prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. In addition, differentially expressed host genes were identified across prostate, breast, and colon cancer datasets, respectively, including several involved in demethylation and antiviral response pathways, supporting previous findings regarding the pathogenic mechanisms of HERVs. A majority of differentially expressed HERVs intersected protein coding genes or lncRNAs in each dataset, and a subset of differentially expressed HERVs intersected differentially expressed genes in prostate, breast, and colon cancers, providing evidence towards regulatory function. Finally, patterns in HERV expression were identified in multiple cancer types, with 155 HERVs differentially expressed in all three cancer types. This analysis extends previous results identifying HERV transcription in cancer RNA-seq datasets to a locus-specific level, and in doing so provides a foundation for future studies investigating the functional role of HERV in cancers and identifies a number of novel targets for cancer biomarkers and immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE: Expressed human endogenous retroviruses are mapped at locus-specific resolution and linked to specific pathways to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in prostate, breast, and colon cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret C Steiner
- Computational Biology Institute, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
| | - Jez L Marston
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Luis P Iñiguez
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Matthew L Bendall
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
- The GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
| | - Douglas F Nixon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Keith A Crandall
- Computational Biology Institute, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
- The GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C
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24
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Lokossou AG, Toudic C, Nguyen PT, Elisseeff X, Vargas A, Rassart É, Lafond J, Leduc L, Bourgault S, Gilbert C, Scorza T, Tolosa J, Barbeau B. Endogenous retrovirus-encoded Syncytin-2 contributes to exosome-mediated immunosuppression of T cells†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:185-198. [PMID: 31318021 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of the activation status of immune cell populations during pregnancy depends on placental villous cytotrophoblast (VCT) cells and the syncytiotrophoblast (STB). Failure in the establishment of this immunoregulatory function leads to pregnancy complications. Our laboratory has been studying Syncytin-2 (Syn-2), an endogenous retroviral protein expressed in placenta and on the surface of placental exosomes. This protein plays an important role not only in STB formation through its fusogenic properties, but also through its immunosuppressive domain (ISD). Considering that Syn-2 expression is importantly reduced in preeclamptic placentas, we were interested in addressing its possible immunoregulatory effects on T cells. Activated Jurkat T cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated with monomeric or dimerized version of a control or a Syn-2 ISD peptide. Change in phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 MAP kinases was selectively noted in Jurkat cells treated with the dimerized ISD peptide. Upon incubation with the dimerized Syn-2 ISD peptide, significant reduction in Th1 cytokine production was further demonstrated by ELISA and Human Th1/Th2 Panel Multi-Analyte Flow Assay. To determine if exosome-associated Syn-2 could also be immunosuppressive placental exosomes were incubated with activated Jurkat and PBMCs. Quantification of Th1 cytokines in the supernatants revealed severe reduction in T cell activation. Interestingly, exosomes from Syn-2-silenced VCT incubated with PBMCs were less suppressive when compared with exosome derived from VCT transfected with control small interfering RNA (siRNA). Our results suggest that Syn-2 is an important immune regulator both locally and systemically, via its association with placental exosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adjimon G Lokossou
- Université du Québec à Montréal, Department of Biological Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche BioMed, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Caroline Toudic
- Université du Québec à Montréal, Department of Biological Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche BioMed, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Phuong Trang Nguyen
- Centre de recherche BioMed, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Université du Québec à Montréal, Department of Chemistry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Xavier Elisseeff
- Université du Québec à Montréal, Department of Biological Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche BioMed, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Amandine Vargas
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Éric Rassart
- Université du Québec à Montréal, Department of Biological Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche BioMed, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julie Lafond
- Université du Québec à Montréal, Department of Biological Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche BioMed, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Line Leduc
- CHU Ste-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Steve Bourgault
- Centre de recherche BioMed, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Université du Québec à Montréal, Department of Chemistry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines-Fondation Courtois, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Tatiana Scorza
- Université du Québec à Montréal, Department of Biological Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche BioMed, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines-Fondation Courtois, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jorge Tolosa
- Mothers and Babies Research Centre and Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Benoit Barbeau
- Université du Québec à Montréal, Department of Biological Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche BioMed, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines-Fondation Courtois, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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25
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Dervan E, Bhattacharyya DD, McAuliffe JD, Khan FH, Glynn SA. Ancient Adversary - HERV-K (HML-2) in Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:658489. [PMID: 34055625 PMCID: PMC8155577 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.658489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), ancient integrations of exogenous viruses, make up 8% of our genome. Long thought of as mere vestigial genetic elements, evidence is now accumulating to suggest a potential functional role in numerous pathologies including neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, and multiple cancers. The youngest member of this group of transposable elements is HERV-K (HML-2). Like the majority of HERV sequences, significant post-insertional mutations have disarmed HERV-K (HML-2), preventing it from producing infectious viral particles. However, some insertions have retained limited coding capacity, and complete open reading frames for all its constituent proteins can be found throughout the genome. For this reason HERV-K (HML-2) has garnered more attention than its peers. The tight epigenetic control thought to suppress expression in healthy tissue is lost during carcinogenesis. Upregulation of HERV-K (HML-2) derived mRNA and protein has been reported in a variety of solid and liquid tumour types, and while causality has yet to be established, progressively more data are emerging to suggest this phenomenon may contribute to tumour growth and metastatic capacity. Herein we discuss its potential utility as a diagnostic tool and therapeutic target in light of the current in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence linking HERV-K (HML-2) to tumour progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoin Dervan
- Discipline of Pathology, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Galway, Ireland
| | - Dibyangana D Bhattacharyya
- Discipline of Pathology, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Galway, Ireland.,Laboratory of Cancer ImmunoMetabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Jake D McAuliffe
- Discipline of Pathology, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Galway, Ireland
| | - Faizan H Khan
- Discipline of Pathology, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Galway, Ireland
| | - Sharon A Glynn
- Discipline of Pathology, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Galway, Ireland
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26
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Engel K, Wieland L, Krüger A, Volkmer I, Cynis H, Emmer A, Staege MS. Identification of Differentially Expressed Human Endogenous Retrovirus Families in Human Leukemia and Lymphoma Cell Lines and Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:637981. [PMID: 33996550 PMCID: PMC8117144 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.637981] [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: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are becoming more and more relevant in cancer research and might be potential targets. The oncogenic potential of human ERVs (HERVs) has been recognized and includes immunosuppression, cell fusion, antigenicity of viral proteins, and regulation of neighboring genes. To decipher the role of HERVs in human cancers, we used a bioinformatics approach and analyzed RNA sequencing data from the LL-100 panel, covering 22 entities of hematopoietic neoplasias including T cell, B cell and myeloid malignancies. We compared HERV expression in this panel with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and normal blood cells. RNA sequencing data were mapped against a comprehensive synthetic viral metagenome with 116 HERV sequences from 14 different HERV families. Of these, 13 HERV families and elements were differently expressed in malignant hematopoietic cells and stem cells. We found transcriptional upregulation of HERVE family in acute megakaryocytic and erythroid leukemia and of HERVFc family in multiple myeloma/plasma cell leukemia (PCL). The HERVFc member HERVFc-1 was found transcriptionally active in the multiple myeloma cell line OPM-2 and also in the Hodgkin lymphoma cell line L-428. The expression of HERVFc-1 in L-428 cells was validated by qRT-PCR. We also confirm transcriptional downregulation of ERV3 in acute megakaryocytic and erythroid leukemia, and HERVK in acute monocytic and myelocytic leukemia and a depression of HERVF in all malignant entities. Most of the higher expressed HERV families could be detected in stem cells including HERVK (HML-2), HERV-like, HERVV, HERVT, ERV9, HERVW, HERVF, HERVMER, ERV3, HERVH and HERVPABLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Engel
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Lisa Wieland
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Anna Krüger
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Martin S Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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27
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Gröger V, Emmer A, Staege MS, Cynis H. Endogenous Retroviruses in Nervous System Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010070. [PMID: 33467098 PMCID: PMC7829834 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several nervous system disorders including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The toxicity of HERV-derived RNAs and proteins for neuronal cells has been demonstrated. The involvement of HERV in the pathogenesis of currently incurable diseases might offer new treatment strategies based on the inhibition of HERV activities by small molecules or therapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Gröger
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-557-7280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.)
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-557-7280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.)
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28
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Salavatiha Z, Soleimani-Jelodar R, Jalilvand S. The role of endogenous retroviruses-K in human cancer. Rev Med Virol 2020; 30:1-13. [PMID: 32734655 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
It is known that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) constitute almost 8% of the human genome. Although the expression of HERVs from the human genome is tightly regulated, different exogenous and endogenous factors could trigger HERV activation. Aberrant expression of different HERVs may potentially cause a variety of diseases such as neurological and autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. It is suggested that HERV-K can induce cancer through different mechanisms that are discussed. The interplay between some tumor viruses and HERV-K seems to be a key player in progression of viral-associated cancers because elevated levels of Rec and Np9 proteins are observed in several cancers. The frequent over expression of HERV proteins and some specific antibodies in cancer cells could be considered as suitable prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers in diagnosis and treatment of cancers. The expression of HERV proteins in cancers and development of immune responses against them may also be used as targets for cancer immunotherapy. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the role of HERVs in cancer formation and use of different HERV proteins in developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Salavatiha
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rahim Soleimani-Jelodar
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Jalilvand
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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29
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Xue B, Sechi LA, Kelvin DJ. Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HML-2) in Health and Disease. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1690. [PMID: 32765477 PMCID: PMC7380069 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are derived from exogenous retrovirus infections in the evolution of primates and account for about 8% of the human genome. They were considered as silent passengers within our genomes for a long time, however, reactivation of HERVs has been associated with tumors and autoimmune diseases, especially the HERV-K (HML-2) family, the most recent integration groups with the least number of mutations and the most biologically active to encode functional retroviral proteins and produce retrovirus-like particles. Increasing studies are committed to determining the potential role of HERV-K (HML-2) in pathogenicity. Although there is still no evidence for HERV-K (HML-2) as a direct cause of diseases, aberrant expression profiles of the HERV-K (HML-2) transcripts and their regulatory function to their proximal host-genes were identified in different diseases. In this review, we summarized the advances between HERV-K (HML-2) and diseases to provide basis for further studies on the causal relationship between HERV-K (HML-2) and diseases. We recommended more attention to polymorphic integrated HERV-K (HML-2) loci which could be genetic causative factors and be associated with inter-individual differences in tumorigenesis and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Xue
- Division of Immunology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Leonardo A. Sechi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - David J. Kelvin
- Division of Immunology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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30
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Vergara Bermejo A, Ragonnaud E, Daradoumis J, Holst P. Cancer Associated Endogenous Retroviruses: Ideal Immune Targets for Adenovirus-Based Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144843. [PMID: 32650622 PMCID: PMC7402293 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major challenge in our societies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) about 1/6 deaths were cancer related in 2018 and it is considered the second leading cause of death globally. Immunotherapies have changed the paradigm of oncologic treatment for several cancers where the field had fallen short in providing competent therapies. Despite the improvement, broadly acting and highly effective therapies capable of eliminating or preventing human cancers with insufficient mutated antigens are still missing. Adenoviral vector-based vaccines are a successful tool in the treatment of various diseases including cancer; however, their success has been limited. In this review we discuss the potential of adenovirus as therapeutic tools and the current developments to use them against cancer. More specifically, we examine how to use them to target endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). ERVs, comprising 8% of the human genome, have been detected in several cancers, while they remain silent in healthy tissues. Their low immunogenicity together with their immunosuppressive capacity aid cancer to escape immunosurveillance. In that regard, virus-like-vaccine (VLV) technology, combining adenoviral vectors and virus-like-particles (VLPs), can be ideal to target ERVs and elicit B-cell responses, as well as CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaia Vergara Bermejo
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, Copenhagen Bio Science Park, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (E.R.); (J.D.)
- Correspondence: (A.V.B.); (P.H.)
| | - Emeline Ragonnaud
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, Copenhagen Bio Science Park, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (E.R.); (J.D.)
| | - Joana Daradoumis
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, Copenhagen Bio Science Park, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (E.R.); (J.D.)
- Center for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Holst
- InProTher, Bioinnovation Institute, Copenhagen Bio Science Park, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (E.R.); (J.D.)
- Center for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (A.V.B.); (P.H.)
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31
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Pro-Inflammatory Signaling Upregulates a Neurotoxic Conotoxin-Like Protein Encrypted Within Human Endogenous Retrovirus-K. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071584. [PMID: 32629888 PMCID: PMC7407490 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron degeneration and spinal cord demyelination are hallmark pathological events in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Endogenous retrovirus-K (ERVK) expression has an established association with ALS neuropathology, with murine modeling pointing to a role for the ERVK envelope (env) gene in disease processes. Here, we describe a novel viral protein cryptically encoded within the ERVK env transcript, which resembles two distinct cysteine-rich neurotoxic proteins: conotoxin proteins found in marine snails and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Tat protein. Consistent with Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-induced retrotransposon expression, the ERVK conotoxin-like protein (CTXLP) is induced by inflammatory signaling. CTXLP is found in the nucleus, impacting innate immune gene expression and NF-κB p65 activity. Using human autopsy specimens from patients with ALS, we further showcase CTXLP expression in degenerating motor cortex and spinal cord tissues, concomitant with inflammation linked pathways, including enhancement of necroptosis marker mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) protein and oligodendrocyte maturation/myelination inhibitor Nogo-A. These findings identify CTXLP as a novel ERVK protein product, which may act as an effector in ALS neuropathology.
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32
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Alcazer V, Bonaventura P, Depil S. Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs): Shaping the Innate Immune Response in Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030610. [PMID: 32155827 PMCID: PMC7139688 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are accounting for 8% of the human genome. These sequences are remnants from ancient germline infections by exogenous retroviruses. After million years of evolution and multiple integrations, HERVs have acquired many damages rendering them defective. At steady state, HERVs are mostly localized in the heterochromatin and silenced by methylation. Multiple conditions have been described to induce their reactivation, including auto-immune diseases and cancers. HERVs re-expression leads to RNA (simple and double-stranded) and DNA production (by reverse transcription), modulating the innate immune response. Some studies also argue for a role of HERVs in shaping the evolution of innate immunity, notably in the development of the interferon response. However, their exact role in the innate immune response, particularly in cancer, remains to be defined. In this review, we see how HERVs could be key-players in mounting an antitumor immune response. After a brief introduction on HERVs characteristics and biology, we review the different mechanisms by which HERVs can interact with the immune system, with a focus on the innate response. We then discuss the potential impact of HERVs expression on the innate immune response in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Alcazer
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69310 Pierre-Bénite, France
- Correspondence: (V.A.); (S.D.)
| | - Paola Bonaventura
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Stephane Depil
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, 69008 Lyon, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69008 Lyon, France
- ErVaccine Technologies, 69008 Lyon, France
- Correspondence: (V.A.); (S.D.)
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33
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Canli T. A model of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) activation in mental health and illness. Med Hypotheses 2019; 133:109404. [PMID: 31557593 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite strong evidence for the heritability of major depressive disorder (MDD), efforts to identify causal genes have been disappointing. Furthermore, although there is strong support for life stress as a major predictor of MDD, there are also considerable individual differences in susceptibility and resilience that remain poorly understood. Efforts to identify specific gene-by-environment risk factors produced results that were initially encouraging, but that were not supported by later large-scale studies. Here I propose a novel mechanism that could address the "missing heritability" of MDD, the role of environmental risk factors, and individual differences in susceptibility and resilience. This mechanism focuses on a class of transposable elements, Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), which make up approximately 8% of the human genome as the result of ancient retroviral infections that entered mammalian germ lines throughout the course of evolution. My primary hypothesis is that exposure to either exogenous viruses or traumatic experiences can activate HERVs in the brain to cause depressive (and possibly other psychiatric) symptoms. My secondary hypothesis is that individual differences in vulnerability or resilience result from the balance of activated HERVs with pathogenic versus protective functions in the brain. Future research can test these hypotheses by analysis of postmortem human brain tissue from donors with known viral or trauma histories; animal studies manipulating HERV expression; cell culture studies examining regulatory mechanisms of HERV expression; and from brain imaging studies of individuals with known HERV-expression. Such research may reveal novel functions of HERVs in neural tissue and may lead to a new generation of psychiatric interventions designed to target aberrant HERV activation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Brain/virology
- Cells, Cultured
- Cytokines/physiology
- Depressive Disorder, Major/etiology
- Depressive Disorder, Major/genetics
- Depressive Disorder, Major/immunology
- Depressive Disorder, Major/virology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endogenous Retroviruses/genetics
- Endogenous Retroviruses/physiology
- Environmental Exposure
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
- Gene-Environment Interaction
- Genes, Viral
- Humans
- Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/physiology
- Mice, Transgenic
- Models, Biological
- Models, Psychological
- Schizophrenia/pathology
- Schizophrenia/virology
- Stress, Psychological
- Terminal Repeat Sequences/genetics
- Virus Activation
- Virus Diseases/complications
- Virus Diseases/psychology
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Affiliation(s)
- Turhan Canli
- Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2500, USA.
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34
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Extracellular Vesicles Released by Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines Modulate Innate Immune Response in Zebrafish Model: The Possible Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153669. [PMID: 31357477 PMCID: PMC6695895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153669] [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: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important components of the metastatic niche and are crucial in infiltration, metastasis, and immune tolerance processes during tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) positive EVs derived from tumor cellsmay have a role in modulating the innate immune response. The study was conducted in two different colorectal cancer cell lines, representing different stages of cancer development: Caco-2, derived from a non-metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma, and SK-CO-1, derived from metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma (ascites). Both cell lines were treated with decitabine to induce global hypomethylation and to reactivate HERV expression. EVs were quantified by nanoparticle tracking analysis, and HERV-positive EV concentrations were measured by flow cytometry. The effect of EVs isolated from both untreated and decitabine-treated cells on the innate immune response was evaluated by injecting them in zebrafish embryos and then assessing Interleukin 1β (IL1-β), Interleukin 10 (IL-10), and the myeloperoxidase (mpx) expression levels by real-time qPCR. Interestingly, HERV-K positive EVs concentrations were significantly associated with a reduced expression of IL1-β and mpx, supporting our hypothesis that HERV-positive EVs may act as immunomodulators in tumor progression. The obtained results open new perspectives about the modulation of the immune response in cancer therapy.
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35
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Misiak B, Ricceri L, Sąsiadek MM. Transposable Elements and Their Epigenetic Regulation in Mental Disorders: Current Evidence in the Field. Front Genet 2019; 10:580. [PMID: 31293617 PMCID: PMC6603224 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are highly repetitive DNA sequences in the human genome that are the relics of previous retrotransposition events. Although the majority of TEs are transcriptionally inactive due to acquired mutations or epigenetic processes, around 8% of TEs exert transcriptional activity. It has been found that TEs contribute to somatic mosaicism that accounts for functional specification of various brain cells. Indeed, autonomous retrotransposition of long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) sequences has been reported in the neural rat progenitor cells from the hippocampus, the human fetal brain and the human embryonic stem cells. Moreover, expression of TEs has been found to regulate immune-inflammatory responses, conditioning immunity against exogenous infections. Therefore, aberrant epigenetic regulation and expression of TEs emerged as a potential mechanism underlying the development of various mental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consequently, some studies revealed that expression of some sequences of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) appears only in a certain group of patients with mental disorders (especially those with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and ASD) but not in healthy controls. In addition, it has been found that expression of HERVs might be related to subclinical inflammation observed in mental disorders. In this article, we provide an overview of detrimental effects of transposition on the brain development and immune mechanisms with relevance to mental disorders. We show that transposition is not the only mechanism, explaining the way TEs might shape the phenotype of mental disorders. Other mechanisms include the regulation of gene expression and the impact on genomic stability. Next, we review current evidence from studies investigating expression and epigenetic regulation of specific TEs in various mental disorders. Most consistently, these studies indicate altered expression of HERVs and methylation of LINE-1 sequences in patients with ASD, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. However, the contribution of TEs to the etiology of AD is poorly documented. Future studies should further investigate the mechanisms linking epigenetic processes, specific TEs and the phenotype of mental disorders to disentangle causal associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Błażej Misiak
- Department of Genetics, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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36
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Integration analysis of a miRNA-mRNA expression in A549 cells infected with a novel H3N2 swine influenza virus and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2019; 74:103922. [PMID: 31207403 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.103922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Swine are reservoirs for anthropogenic/zoonotic influenza viruses, and the prevalence and repeated introduction of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus (pdm/09) into pigs raises the possibility of generating novel swine influenza viruses with the potential to infect humans. However, studies aiming to identify miRNAs involved in the transfer of novel swine influenza virus infection to human cells are rare. In this investigation, from the view of small RNA, microarrays and high-throughput sequencing were used to detect differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs after human lung epithelial cells were infected with the following three stains of influenza viruses: a novel H3N2 swine influenza virus reassorted with pdm/09 fragments, pdm/09 and classical swine influenza virus. A miRNA-mRNA interaction map was generated to show the correlation between miRNAs related to infection by the viruses with human infective potential/capability. The expression of 4 miRNAs (hsa-miR-96-5p, hsa-miR-140-5p, hsa-miR-30a-3p and hsa-miR-582-5p) and 5 relevant mRNAs (RCC1, ERVFRD-1, RANBP1, SCARB2 and RPS29) was determined. The integration analysis indicated that these candidates have rarely been reported to be associated with influenza virus. Focusing on miRNA expression changes could reveal novel reassortant viruses with human infective potential that may provide insight into future pandemics.
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37
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Adenovirus based virus-like-vaccines targeting endogenous retroviruses can eliminate growing colorectal cancers in mice. Oncotarget 2019; 10:1458-1472. [PMID: 30858929 PMCID: PMC6402721 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.26680] [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: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) that make up 8% of the human genome have been associated with the development and progression of cancer. The murine model system of the melanoma associated retrovirus (MelARV), which is expressed in different murine cancer cell lines, can be used to study mechanisms and therapeutic approaches against ERVs in cancer. We designed a vaccine strategy (Ad5-MelARV) of adenoviruses encoding the MelARV proteins Gag and Env that assemble in vivo into virus-like particles displaying the cancer-associated MelARV Env to the immune system. The novel vaccine was designed to induce both humoral as well as cellular immune responses in order to attack ERV expressing tumor cells. Despite a lack of antibody induction, we found that T cell responses were strong enough to prevent colorectal CT26 tumor growth and progression in BALB/c mice after a single vaccination before or after tumor challenge. A combination with the checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-1 further increased the efficacy of the vaccination leading to complete tumor regression. Furthermore, immune responses in vaccinated mice were not restricted to only one cancer cell line but vaccinated animals were also protected from a rechallenge with the distinct breast cancer cell line 4T1. Thus, the developed vaccine strategy could represent a novel tool to successfully target diverse ERV-bearing tumors in cancer patients.
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Garcia-Montojo M, Doucet-O'Hare T, Henderson L, Nath A. Human endogenous retrovirus-K (HML-2): a comprehensive review. Crit Rev Microbiol 2018; 44:715-738. [PMID: 30318978 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2018.1501345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The human genome contains a large number of retroviral elements acquired over the process of evolution, some of which are specific to primates. However, as many of these are defective or silenced through epigenetic changes, they were historically considered "junk DNA" and their potential role in human physiology or pathological circumstances have been poorly studied. The most recently acquired, human endogenous retrovirus-K (HERV-K), has multiple copies in the human genome and some of them have complete open reading frames that are transcribed and translated, especially in early embryogenesis. Phylogenetically, HERV-K is considered a supergroup of viruses. One of the subtypes, termed HML-2, seems to be the most active and hence, it is the best studied. Aberrant expression of HML-2 in adult tissues has been associated with certain types of cancer and with neurodegenerative diseases. This review discusses the discovery of these viruses, their classification, structure, regulation and potential for replication, physiological roles, and their involvement in disease pathogenesis. Finally, it presents different therapeutic approaches being considered to target these viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Garcia-Montojo
- a Section of Infections of the Nervous System , National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Tara Doucet-O'Hare
- a Section of Infections of the Nervous System , National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Lisa Henderson
- a Section of Infections of the Nervous System , National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
| | - Avindra Nath
- a Section of Infections of the Nervous System , National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA
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Grandi N, Tramontano E. Human Endogenous Retroviruses Are Ancient Acquired Elements Still Shaping Innate Immune Responses. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2039. [PMID: 30250470 PMCID: PMC6139349 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
About 8% of our genome is composed of sequences with viral origin, namely human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs). HERVs are relics of ancient infections that affected the primates' germ line along the last 100 million of years, and became stable elements at the interface between self and foreign DNA. Intriguingly, HERV co-evolution with the host led to the domestication of activities previously devoted to the retrovirus life cycle, providing novel cellular functions. For example, selected HERV envelope proteins have been coopted for pregnancy-related purposes, and proviral Long Terminal Repeats participate in the transcriptional regulation of various cellular genes. Given the HERV persistence in the host genome and its basal expression in most healthy tissues, it is reasonable that human defenses should prevent HERV-mediated immune activation. Despite this, HERVs and their products (including RNA, cytosolic DNA, and proteins) are still able to modulate and be influenced by the host immune system, fascinatingly suggesting a central role in the evolution and functioning of the human innate immunity. Indeed, HERV sequences had been major contributors in shaping and expanding the interferon network, dispersing inducible genes that have been occasionally domesticated in various mammalian lineages. Also the HERV integration within or near to genes encoding for critical immune factors has been shown to influence their activity, or to be responsible for their polymorphic variation in the human population, such as in the case of an HERV-K(HML10) provirus in the major histocompatibility complex region. In addition, HERV expressed products have been shown to modulate innate immunity effectors, being therefore often related on the one side to inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, while on the other side to the control of excessive immune activation through their immunosuppressive properties. Finally, HERVs have been proposed to establish a protective effect against exogenous infections. The present review summarizes the involvement of HERVs and their products in innate immune responses, describing how their intricate interplay with the first line of human defenses can actively contribute either to the host protection or to his damage, implying a subtle balance between the persistence of HERV expression and the maintenance of a basal immune alert.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.,Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Cagliari, Italy
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Mayer J, Harz C, Sanchez L, Pereira GC, Maldener E, Heras SR, Ostrow LW, Ravits J, Batra R, Meese E, García-Pérez JL, Goodier JL. Transcriptional profiling of HERV-K(HML-2) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and potential implications for expression of HML-2 proteins. Mol Neurodegener 2018; 13:39. [PMID: 30068350 PMCID: PMC6091006 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-018-0275-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. About 90% of ALS cases are without a known genetic cause. The human endogenous retrovirus multi-copy HERV-K(HML-2) group was recently reported to potentially contribute to neurodegeneration and disease pathogenesis in ALS because of transcriptional upregulation and toxic effects of HML-2 Envelope (Env) protein. Env and other proteins are encoded by some transcriptionally active HML-2 loci. However, more detailed information is required regarding which HML-2 loci are transcribed in ALS, which of their proteins are expressed, and differences between the disease and non-disease states. METHODS For brain and spinal cord tissue samples from ALS patients and controls, we identified transcribed HML-2 loci by generating and mapping HML-2-specific cDNA sequences. We predicted expression of HML-2 env gene-derived proteins based on the observed cDNA sequences. Furthermore, we determined overall HML-2 transcript levels by RT-qPCR and investigated presence of HML-2 Env protein in ALS and control tissue samples by Western blotting. RESULTS We identified 24 different transcribed HML-2 loci. Some of those loci are transcribed at relatively high levels. However, significant differences in HML-2 loci transcriptional activities were not seen when comparing ALS and controls. Likewise, overall HML-2 transcript levels, as determined by RT-qPCR, were not significantly different between ALS and controls. Indeed, we were unable to detect full-length HML-2 Env protein in ALS and control tissue samples despite reasonable sensitivity. Rather our analyses suggest that a number of HML-2 protein variants other than full-length Env may potentially be expressed in ALS patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results expand and refine recent publications on HERV-K(HML-2) and ALS. Some of our results are in conflict with recent findings and call for further specific analyses. Our profiling of HML-2 transcription in ALS opens up the possibility that HML-2 proteins other than canonical full-length Env may have to be considered when studying the role of HML-2 in ALS disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Mayer
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Christian Harz
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Laura Sanchez
- GENYO. Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
| | - Gavin C. Pereira
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Esther Maldener
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Sara R. Heras
- GENYO. Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Lyle W. Ostrow
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 28217 USA
| | - John Ravits
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, UCSD, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Ranjan Batra
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, UCSD, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Eckart Meese
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Jose Luis García-Pérez
- GENYO. Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research: Pfizer, University of Granada, Andalusian Regional Government, Granada, Spain
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM), University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - John L. Goodier
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
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Ivanusic D, Pietsch H, König J, Denner J. Absence of IL-10 production by human PBMCs co-cultivated with human cells expressing or secreting retroviral immunosuppressive domains. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200570. [PMID: 30001404 PMCID: PMC6042780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppression by retroviruses including the human immunodeficiency virus—1 (HIV-1) is well known, however the mechanisms how retroviruses induce this immunosuppression is not fully investigated. It was shown that non-infectious retroviral particles as well as retroviral or recombinant retroviral transmembrane envelope (TM) proteins demonstrated immunosuppressive properties. The same was shown for peptides corresponding to a highly conserved domain in the TM protein. This domain is called immunosuppressive (ISU) domain and it induces modulation of the cytokine release of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors. In addition, it changes the gene expression of these cells. Common indications for the immunosuppressive activity were tumour growth in vivo and interleukin—10 (IL-10) release from human PBMCs in vitro. Single mutations in the ISU domain abrogated the immunosuppressive activity. In order to develop a new model system for the expression of the ISU domain and presentation to PBMCs which is not prone to possible endotoxin contaminations, two expression systems were developed. In the first system, designated pOUT, retroviral proteins containing the ISU domain were expressed and released into the cell culture medium, and in the second system, tANCHOR, the ISU domain was presented by a tetraspanin-anchored sequence on the cell surface of human cells. Both systems were exploited to express the wild-type (wt) ISU domains of HIV-1, of the porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) and of the murine leukaemia virus (MuLV) as well as to express mutants (mut) of these ISU domains. PERV is of special interest in the context of virus safety of xenotransplantation using pig organs. Expression of the TM proteins was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy, ELISA and Western blot analyses using specific antibodies. However, when cells expressing and releasing the ISU were co-incubated with human PBMCs, no increased production of IL-10 was observed when compared with the mutants. Similar results were obtained when the released TM proteins were concentrated by immunoprecipitation and added to PBMCs. We suggest that the absence of IL-10 induction can be explained by a low amount of protein, by the lack of a biologically active conformation or the absence of additional factors.
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Madden D, Whaite A, Jones E, Belov K, Timms P, Polkinghorne A. Koala immunology and infectious diseases: How much can the koala bear? DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 82:177-185. [PMID: 29382557 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are contributing to the decline of the iconic Australian marsupial, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Infections with the obligate intracellular bacteria, Chlamydia pecorum, cause debilitating ocular and urogenital-tract disease while the koala-retrovirus (KoRV) has been implicated in host immunosuppression and exacerbation of chlamydial pathogenesis. Although histological studies have provided insight into the basic architecture of koala immune tissues, our understanding of the koala immune response to infectious disease has been limited, until recently, by a lack of species-specific immune reagents. Recent advances in the characterisation of key immune genes have focused on advancing our understanding of the immune response to Chlamydia infection, revealing commonalities in disease pathologies and immunity between koalas and other hosts and paving the way for the development of a koala Chlamydia vaccine. This review summarises these recent findings and highlights key aspects of the koala immune system requiring further attention with particular regard to their most prominent infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Madden
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs 4556, Australia.
| | - Alessandra Whaite
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs 4556, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth Jones
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Peter Timms
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs 4556, Australia.
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Animal Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs 4556, Australia.
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Schöneberg T, Meister J, Knierim AB, Schulz A. The G protein-coupled receptor GPR34 - The past 20 years of a grownup. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 189:71-88. [PMID: 29684466 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Research on GPR34, which was discovered in 1999 as an orphan G protein-coupled receptor of the rhodopsin-like class, disclosed its physiologic relevance only piece by piece. Being present in all recent vertebrate genomes analyzed so far it seems to improve the fitness of species although it is not essential for life and reproduction as GPR34-deficient mice demonstrate. However, closer inspection of macrophages and microglia, where it is mainly expressed, revealed its relevance in immune cell function. Recent data clearly demonstrate that GPR34 function is required to arrest microglia in the M0 homeostatic non-phagocytic phenotype. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on its evolution, genomic and structural organization, physiology, pharmacology and relevance in human diseases including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, which accumulated over the last 20 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Schöneberg
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Jaroslawna Meister
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Alexander Bernd Knierim
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Leipzig University Medical Center, IFB AdiposityDiseases, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Angela Schulz
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Kassiotis G, Stoye JP. Making a virtue of necessity: the pleiotropic role of human endogenous retroviruses in cancer. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 372:rstb.2016.0277. [PMID: 28893944 PMCID: PMC5597744 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Like all other mammals, humans harbour an astonishing number of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), as well as other retroelements, embedded in their genome. These remnants of ancestral germline infection with distinct exogenous retroviruses display various degrees of open reading frame integrity and replication capability. Modern day exogenous retroviruses, as well as the infectious predecessors of ERVs, are demonstrably oncogenic. Further, replication-competent ERVs continue to cause cancers in many other species of mammal. Moreover, human cancers are characterized by transcriptional activation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). These observations conspire to incriminate HERVs as causative agents of human cancer. However, exhaustive investigation of cancer genomes suggests that HERVs have entirely lost the ability for re-infection and thus the potential for insertional mutagenic activity. Although there may be non-insertional mechanisms by which HERVs contribute to cancer development, recent evidence also uncovers potent anti-tumour activities exerted by HERV replication intermediates or protein products. On balance, it appears that HERVs, despite their oncogenic past, now represent potential targets for immune-mediated anti-tumour mechanisms. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Human oncogenic viruses’.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK .,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan P Stoye
- Retrovirus-Host Interactions, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK .,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Bahrami S, Gryz EA, Graversen JH, Troldborg A, Stengaard Pedersen K, Laska MJ. Immunomodulating peptides derived from different human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) show dissimilar impact on pathogenesis of a multiple sclerosis animal disease model. Clin Immunol 2018; 191:37-43. [PMID: 29567431 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Retroviruses including Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), contain a conserved region with highly immunomodulatory functions in the transmembrane proteins in envelope gene (env) named immunosuppressive domain (ISU). In this report, we demonstrate that Env59-GP3 peptide holds therapeutic potential in a mouse model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The results show that this specific HERV-H derived ISU peptide, but not peptide derived from another env gene HERV-K, decreased the development of EAE in C57BL/6 mice, accompanied by reduced demyelination and inhibition of inflammatory cells. Moreover, here we tested the effect of peptides on macrophages differentiation. The treatment with Env59-GPS peptide modulate the pro-inflammatory M1 profile and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, being shown by inhibiting inflammatory M1 hallmark genes/cytokines expression and enhancing expression of M2 associated markers. These results demonstrate that Env59-GP3 ISU peptide has therapeutic potential in EAE possibly through inducing the polarization of M2 macrophages and inhibiting inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shervin Bahrami
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | | | | | - Anne Troldborg
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Kristian Stengaard Pedersen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Magdalena Janina Laska
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Rheumatology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
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Gröger V, Cynis H. Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Their Putative Role in the Development of Autoimmune Disorders Such as Multiple Sclerosis. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:265. [PMID: 29515547 PMCID: PMC5826199 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of retroviral germ line infections of human ancestors and make up ~8% of the human genome. Under physiological conditions, these elements are frequently inactive or non-functional due to deactivating mutations and epigenetic control. However, they can be reactivated under certain pathological conditions and produce viral transcripts and proteins. Several disorders, like multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are associated with increased HERV expression. Although their detailed contribution to individual diseases has yet to be elucidated, an increasing number of studies in vitro and in vivo suggest HERVs as potent modulators of the immune system. They are able to affect the transcription of other immune-related genes, interact with pattern recognition receptors, and influence the positive and negative selection of developing thymocytes. Interestingly, HERV envelope proteins can both stimulate and suppress immune responses based on different mechanisms. In the light of HERV proteins becoming an emerging drug target for autoimmune-related disorders and cancer, we will provide an overview on recent findings of the complex interactions between HERVs and the human immune system with a focus on autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
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Li M, Radvanyi L, Yin B, Rycaj K, Li J, Chivukula R, Lin K, Lu Y, Shen J, Chang DZ, Li D, Johanning GL, Wang-Johanning F. Downregulation of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Type K (HERV-K) Viral env RNA in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Decreases Cell Proliferation and Tumor Growth. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:5892-5911. [PMID: 28679769 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: We investigated the role of the human endogenous retrovirus type K (HERV-K) envelope (env) gene in pancreatic cancer.Experimental Design: shRNA was employed to knockdown (KD) the expression of HERV-K in pancreatic cancer cells.Results: HERV-K env expression was detected in seven pancreatic cancer cell lines and in 80% of pancreatic cancer patient biopsies, but not in two normal pancreatic cell lines or uninvolved normal tissues. A new HERV-K splice variant was discovered in several pancreatic cancer cell lines. Reverse transcriptase activity and virus-like particles were observed in culture media supernatant obtained from Panc-1 and Panc-2 cells. HERV-K viral RNA levels and anti-HERV-K antibody titers were significantly higher in pancreatic cancer patient sera (N = 106) than in normal donor sera (N = 40). Importantly, the in vitro and in vivo growth rates of three pancreatic cancer cell lines were significantly reduced after HERV-K KD by shRNA targeting HERV-K env, and there was reduced metastasis to lung after treatment. RNA-Seq results revealed changes in gene expression after HERV-K env KD, including RAS and TP53. Furthermore, downregulation of HERV-K Env protein expression by shRNA also resulted in decreased expression of RAS, p-ERK, p-RSK, and p-AKT in several pancreatic cancer cells or tumors.Conclusions: These results demonstrate that HERV-K influences signal transduction via the RAS-ERK-RSK pathway in pancreatic cancer. Our data highlight the potentially important role of HERV-K in tumorigenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer, and indicate that HERV-K viral proteins may be attractive biomarkers and/or tumor-associated antigens, as well as potentially useful targets for detection, diagnosis, and immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 23(19); 5892-911. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- Viral Oncology Program, Center for Cancer and Metabolism, SRI International, Menlo Park, California
| | - Laszlo Radvanyi
- EMD Serono Research and Development Institute, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Bingnan Yin
- Department of Inflammation and Epigenetics, Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Jia Li
- Viral Oncology Program, Center for Cancer and Metabolism, SRI International, Menlo Park, California
| | - Raghavender Chivukula
- Viral Oncology Program, Center for Cancer and Metabolism, SRI International, Menlo Park, California
| | - Kevin Lin
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas
| | - Yue Lu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas
| | - JianJun Shen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Science Park, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas
| | - David Z Chang
- Virginia Oncology Associates, Newport News, Virginia
| | - Donghui Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Gary L Johanning
- Viral Oncology Program, Center for Cancer and Metabolism, SRI International, Menlo Park, California
| | - Feng Wang-Johanning
- Viral Oncology Program, Center for Cancer and Metabolism, SRI International, Menlo Park, California.
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Antigenic and immunosuppressive properties of a trimeric recombinant transmembrane envelope protein gp41 of HIV-1. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173454. [PMID: 28282446 PMCID: PMC5345815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The transmembrane envelope (TM) protein gp41 of the human immunodeficiency virus—1 (HIV-1) plays an important role during virus infection inducing the fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. In addition, there are indications that the TM protein plays a role in the immunopathogenesis leading to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Inactivated virus particles and recombinant gp41 have been reported to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation, as well as to alter cytokine release and gene expression. The same was shown for a peptide corresponding to a highly conserved domain of all retroviral TM proteins, the immunosuppressive domain. Due to its propensity to aggregate and to be expressed at low levels, studies comprising authentic gp41 produced in eukaryotic cells are extremely rare. Here we describe the production of a secreted, soluble recombinant gp41 in 293 cells. The antigen was purified to homogeneity and characterised thoroughly by various biochemical and immunological methods. It was shown that the protein was glycosylated and assembled into trimers. Binding studies by ELISA and surface plasmon resonance using conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies implied a six-helix bundle conformation. The low binding of broadly neutralising antibodies (bnAb) directed against the membrane proximal external region (MPER) suggested that this gp41 is probably not suited as vaccine to induce such bnAb. Purified gp41 bound to monocytes and to a lesser extent to lymphocytes and triggered the production of specific cytokines when added to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, gp41 expressed on target cells inhibited the antigen-specific response of murine CD8+ T cells by drastically impairing their IFNγ production. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive analysis of a gp41 produced in eukaryotic cells including its immunosuppressive properties. Our data provide another line of evidence that gp41 might be directly involved in HIV-1 immunopathogenesis through modulation of the cytokine release and active inhibition of immune responses.
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Kim HJ, Moon BI, Lee JW, Kim SC, Kim HJ. Age-related reduction of antibody response against the human endogenous retrovirus K envelope in women. Oncotarget 2017; 7:17327-37. [PMID: 26872058 PMCID: PMC4951215 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, the correlation between the antibody response against human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) envelope and human age was investigated. Antibody levels were compared in groups in their 20s (n = 25), 30s (n = 39), 40s (n = 68), 50s (n = 32), and 60s and over (n = 25), which included healthy individuals and breast cancer and/or cervical cancer patients. It appeared that both IgM and IgG responses against the HERV-K envelope fell with increasing age. There were no differences in anti-HERV-K envelope antibody levels between healthy individuals and cancer patients. Therefore, our results indicated that the anti-HERV-K antibody levels cannot be considered as cancer-specific marker. Also, IgG1 appeared to be the predominant subtype in the reduction of the IgG response by age. Receiver operating characteristic curves of anti-HERV-K envelope IgM levels indicated that the groups of people in their 20s or 30s could be distinguished from those in their 40s, 50s or 60s and over with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. These findings indicate that the serum antibody level of HERV-K envelope is a critical parameter reflecting person's age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyoung Jin Kim
- Laboratory of Virology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06974, South Korea
| | - Byung-In Moon
- Breast and Thyroid Cancer Center, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul 07985, South Korea
| | - Jun Woo Lee
- Breast and Thyroid Cancer Center, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul 07985, South Korea
| | - Seung Cheol Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Yangcheon-Gu, Seoul 07985, South Korea
| | - Hong-Jin Kim
- Laboratory of Virology, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06974, South Korea
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Are human endogenous retroviruses triggers of autoimmune diseases? Unveiling associations of three diseases and viral loci. Immunol Res 2016; 64:55-63. [PMID: 26091722 PMCID: PMC4726719 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-015-8671-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases encompass a plethora of conditions in which the immune system attacks its own tissue, identifying them as foreign. Multiple factors are thought to contribute to the development of immune response to self, including differences in genotypes, hormonal milieu, and environmental factors. Viruses including human endogenous retroviruses have long been linked to the occurrence of autoimmunity, but never proven to be causative factors. Endogenous viruses are retroviral sequences embedded in the host germline DNA and transmitted vertically through successive generations in a Mendelian manner. In this study by means of genetic epidemiology, we have searched for the involvement of endogenous retroviruses in three selected autoimmune diseases: multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis. We found that at least one human endogenous retroviral locus was associated with each of the three diseases. Although there was a significant overlap, most loci only occurred in one of the studied disease. Remarkably, within each disease, there was a statistical interaction (synergy) between two loci. Additional synergy between retroviral loci and human lymphocyte antigens is reported for multiple sclerosis. We speculate the possibility that recombinants or mixed viral particles are formed and that the resulting viruses stimulate the innate immune system, thereby initiating the autoimmune response.
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