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Dai YD, Du W, Wang Y, Hu WY. A Targeted Deep Sequencing Method to Quantify Endogenous Retrovirus Gag Sequence Variants and Open Reading Frames Expressed in Nonobese Diabetic Mice. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 213:15-22. [PMID: 38738929 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are involved in autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). ERV gene products homologous to murine leukemia retroviruses are expressed in the pancreatic islets of NOD mice, a model of T1D. One ERV gene, Gag, with partial or complete open reading frames (ORFs), is detected in the islets, and it contains many sequence variants. An amplicon deep sequencing analysis was established by targeting a conserved region within the Gag gene to compare NOD with T1D-resistant mice or different ages of prediabetic NOD mice. We observed that the numbers of different Gag variants and ORFs are linked to T1D susceptibility. More importantly, these numbers change during the course of diabetes development and can be quantified to calculate the levels of disease progression. Sequence alignment analysis led to identification of additional markers, including nucleotide mismatching and amino acid consensus at specific positions that can distinguish the early and late stages, before diabetes onset. Therefore, the expression of sequence variants and ORFs of ERV genes, particularly Gag, can be quantified as biomarkers to estimate T1D susceptibility and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang D Dai
- Biomedical Research Institute of Southern California, Oceanside, CA
- HERV Laboratory, San Diego, CA
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2
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Ye C, Clements SA, Gu W, Geurts AM, Mathews CE, Serreze DV, Chen YG, Driver JP. Deletion of Vβ3 +CD4 + T cells by endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus 3 prevents type 1 diabetes induction by autoreactive CD8 + T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2312039120. [PMID: 38015847 PMCID: PMC10710095 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312039120] [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: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In both humans and NOD mice, type 1 diabetes (T1D) develops from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells by T cells. Interactions between both helper CD4+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells are essential for T1D development in NOD mice. Previous work has indicated that pathogenic T cells arise from deleterious interactions between relatively common genes which regulate aspects of T cell activation/effector function (Ctla4, Tnfrsf9, Il2/Il21), peptide presentation (H2-A g7, B2m), and T cell receptor (TCR) signaling (Ptpn22). Here, we used a combination of subcongenic mapping and a CRISPR/Cas9 screen to identify the NOD-encoded mammary tumor virus (Mtv)3 provirus as a genetic element affecting CD4+/CD8+ T cell interactions through an additional mechanism, altering the TCR repertoire. Mtv3 encodes a superantigen (SAg) that deletes the majority of Vβ3+ thymocytes in NOD mice. Ablating Mtv3 and restoring Vβ3+ T cells has no effect on spontaneous T1D development in NOD mice. However, transferring Mtv3 to C57BL/6 (B6) mice congenic for the NOD H2 g7 MHC haplotype (B6.H2 g7) completely blocks their normal susceptibility to T1D mediated by transferred CD8+ T cells transgenically expressing AI4 or NY8.3 TCRs. The entire genetic effect is manifested by Vβ3+CD4+ T cells, which unless deleted by Mtv3, accumulate in insulitic lesions triggering in B6 background mice the pathogenic activation of diabetogenic CD8+ T cells. Our findings provide evidence that endogenous Mtv SAgs can influence autoimmune responses. Furthermore, since most common mouse strains have gaps in their TCR Vβ repertoire due to Mtvs, it raises questions about the role of Mtvs in other mouse models designed to reflect human immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Ye
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32611
| | - Sadie A. Clements
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65201
| | - Weihong Gu
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65201
| | - Aron M. Geurts
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - Clayton E. Mathews
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32610
| | | | - Yi-Guang Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI53226
| | - John P. Driver
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65201
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3
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Contribution of Retrotransposons to the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes and Challenges in Analysis Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043104. [PMID: 36834511 PMCID: PMC9966460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common chronic diseases of the endocrine system, associated with several life-threatening comorbidities. While the etiopathogenesis of T1D remains elusive, a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, such as microbial infections, are thought to be involved in the development of the disease. The prime model for studying the genetic component of T1D predisposition encompasses polymorphisms within the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) region responsible for the specificity of antigen presentation to lymphocytes. Apart from polymorphisms, genomic reorganization caused by repeat elements and endogenous viral elements (EVEs) might be involved in T1D predisposition. Such elements are human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons, including long and short interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs and SINEs). In line with their parasitic origin and selfish behaviour, retrotransposon-imposed gene regulation is a major source of genetic variation and instability in the human genome, and may represent the missing link between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors long thought to contribute to T1D onset. Autoreactive immune cell subtypes with differentially expressed retrotransposons can be identified with single-cell transcriptomics, and personalized assembled genomes can be constructed, which can then serve as a reference for predicting retrotransposon integration/restriction sites. Here we review what is known to date about retrotransposons, we discuss the involvement of viruses and retrotransposons in T1D predisposition, and finally we consider challenges in retrotransposons analysis methods.
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Cong Q, Guo X, Zhang S, Wang J, Zhu Y, Wang L, Lu G, Zhang Y, Fu W, Zhou L, Wang S, Liu C, Song J, Yang C, Luo C, Ni T, Sui L, Huang H, Li J. HCV poly U/UC sequence-induced inflammation leads to metabolic disorders in vulvar lichen sclerosis. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:4/8/e202000906. [PMID: 34145025 PMCID: PMC8321666 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Multi-omics analysis reveals the elevation of HCV poly U/UC sequences, which induces abnormal inflammation and related metabolic disorder in vulvar lichen sclerosis. Vulvar lichen sclerosis (VLS) is a dermatologic disorder that affects women worldwide. Women with VLS have white, atrophic papules on the vulva. They suffer from life-long intense pruritus. Corticosteroids are the first-line of treatments and the most effective medicines for VLS. Although VLS has been speculated as an autoimmune disease for a long time, its pathogenesis and the molecular mechanism is largely unknown. We performed a comprehensive multi-omics analysis of paired samples from VLS patients as well as healthy donors. From the RNA-seq analysis, we found that VLS is correlated to abnormal antivirus response because of the presence of Hepatitis C Virus poly U/UC sequences. Lipidomic and metabolomic analysis revealed that inflammation-induced metabolic disorders of fatty acids and glutathione were likely the reasons for pruritus, atrophy, and pigment loss in the vulva. Thus, the present study provides an initial interpretation of the pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of VLS and suggests that metabolic disorders that affect the vulva may serve as therapeutic targets for VLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Cong
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Guo
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengwei Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangxing Lu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufeng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liying Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuaikang Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cenxi Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Song
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoyong Yang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,The Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, State Key Laboratory for Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Chi Luo
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Ni
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Long Sui
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - He Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology and School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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5
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Srinivasachar Badarinarayan S, Sauter D. Switching Sides: How Endogenous Retroviruses Protect Us from Viral Infections. J Virol 2021; 95:e02299-20. [PMID: 33883223 PMCID: PMC8315955 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02299-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Long disregarded as junk DNA or genomic dark matter, endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have turned out to represent important components of the antiviral immune response. These remnants of once-infectious retroviruses not only regulate cellular immune activation, but may even directly target invading viral pathogens. In this Gem, we summarize mechanisms by which retroviral fossils protect us from viral infections. One focus will be on recent advances in the role of ERVs as regulators of antiviral gene expression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Endogenous Retroviruses/genetics
- Endogenous Retroviruses/physiology
- Enhancer Elements, Genetic
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Double-Stranded/genetics
- RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
- RNA, Viral/genetics
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- Receptors, Pattern Recognition/metabolism
- Receptors, Virus/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Virus/metabolism
- Retroelements
- Viral Proteins/metabolism
- Virion/metabolism
- Virus Diseases/genetics
- Virus Diseases/immunology
- Virus Diseases/virology
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Srinivasachar Badarinarayan
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Sauter
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
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6
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Chen X, Li D. ERVcaller: identifying polymorphic endogenous retrovirus and other transposable element insertions using whole-genome sequencing data. Bioinformatics 2020; 35:3913-3922. [PMID: 30895294 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Approximately 8% of the human genome is derived from endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). In recent years, an increasing number of human diseases have been found to be associated with ERVs. However, it remains challenging to accurately detect the full spectrum of polymorphic (unfixed) ERVs using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. RESULTS We designed a new tool, ERVcaller, to detect and genotype transposable element (TE) insertions, including ERVs, in the human genome. We evaluated ERVcaller using both simulated and real benchmark WGS datasets. Compared to existing tools, ERVcaller consistently obtained both the highest sensitivity and precision for detecting simulated ERV and other TE insertions derived from real polymorphic TE sequences. For the WGS data from the 1000 Genomes Project, ERVcaller detected the largest number of TE insertions per sample based on consensus TE loci. By analyzing the experimentally verified TE insertions, ERVcaller had 94.0% TE detection sensitivity and 96.6% genotyping accuracy. Polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing in a small sample set verified 86.7% of examined insertion statuses and 100% of examined genotypes. In conclusion, ERVcaller is capable of detecting and genotyping TE insertions using WGS data with both high sensitivity and precision. This tool can be applied broadly to other species. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION http://www.uvm.edu/genomics/software/ERVcaller.html. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Dawei Li
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.,Neuroscience, Behavior, and Health Initiative, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.,Department of Computer Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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7
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Endogenous Retroviruses Activity as a Molecular Signature of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20236050. [PMID: 31801288 PMCID: PMC6928979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genetic elements resulting from relics of ancestral infection of germline cells, now recognized as cofactors in the etiology of several complex diseases. Here we present a review of findings supporting the role of the abnormal HERVs activity in neurodevelopmental disorders. The derailment of brain development underlies numerous neuropsychiatric conditions, likely starting during prenatal life and carrying on during subsequent maturation of the brain. Autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, and schizophrenia are neurodevelopmental disorders that arise clinically during early childhood or adolescence, currently attributed to the interplay among genetic vulnerability, environmental risk factors, and maternal immune activation. The role of HERVs in human embryogenesis, their intrinsic responsiveness to external stimuli, and the interaction with the immune system support the involvement of HERVs in the derailed neurodevelopmental process. Although definitive proofs that HERVs are involved in neurobehavioral alterations are still lacking, both preclinical models and human studies indicate that the abnormal expression of ERVs could represent a neurodevelopmental disorders-associated biological trait in affected individuals and their parents.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW The aim of this review is to discuss recent data pointing at an involvement of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset and progression. RECENT FINDINGS The envelope protein of HERV-W family, named HERV-W-Env, was detected in pancreata from T1D patients and was shown to display pro-inflammatory properties and direct toxicity toward pancreatic beta cells. The etiopathogenesis of T1D remains elusive, even if conventional environmental viral infections have been recurrently involved. Nonetheless, a new category of pathogens may provide the missing link between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors long thought to contribute to T1D onset. A number of studies have now shown that HERV sequences, which are normally inactivated or repressed in the human genome, could be activated by environmental viruses. Thus, if similarly activated by viruses associated with T1D, disregarded HERV genes may underlie T1D genetic susceptibility. Moreover, once expressed, HERV elements may display broad pathogenic properties, which identify them as potential new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Levet
- GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - B. Charvet
- GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - A. Bertin
- Faculté de Médecine, CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Virologie EA3610, Université Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - A. Deschaumes
- Faculté de Médecine, CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Virologie EA3610, Université Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - H. Perron
- GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France
- Laboratoire des déficits immunitaires, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Plan-les-Ouates, GeNeuro SA, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - D. Hober
- Faculté de Médecine, CHU Lille, Laboratoire de Virologie EA3610, Université Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
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Kepekçi AH, İbişoğlu MS, Yılmaz S, Kığ C. IRAP-PCR As A Tool For Screening HERV Polymorphisms In Nasal Mucosal Swabs. ENT UPDATES 2019. [DOI: 10.32448/entupdates.578602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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10
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The Decrease in Human Endogenous Retrovirus-H Activity Runs in Parallel with Improvement in ADHD Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Methylphenidate Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113286. [PMID: 30360480 PMCID: PMC6274708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing scientific evidence demonstrated the deregulation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) expression in complex diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune, psychiatric, and neurological disorders. The dynamic regulation of HERV activity and their responsiveness to a variety of environmental stimuli designate HERVs as genetic elements that could be modulated by drugs. Methylphenidate (MPH) is widely used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the time course of human endogenous retrovirus H (HERV-H) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with respect to clinical response in ADHD patients undergoing MPH therapy. A fast reduction in HERV-H activity in ADHD patients undergoing MPH therapy was observed in parallel with an improvement in clinical symptoms. Moreover, when PBMCs from drug-naïve patients were cultured in vitro, HERV-H expression increased, while no changes in the expression levels were found in ADHD patients undergoing therapy. This suggests that MPH could affect the HERV-H activity and supports the hypothesis that high expression levels of HERV-H could be considered a distinctive trait of ADHD 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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12
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Matteucci C, Balestrieri E, Argaw-Denboba A, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P. Human endogenous retroviruses role in cancer cell stemness. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:17-30. [PMID: 30317035 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer incidence and mortality, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence are still the critical issues of oncological diseases. In this scenario, increasing scientific evidences demonstrate that the activation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) is involved in the aggressiveness of tumors such as melanoma, breast, germ cell, renal, ovarian, liver and haematological cancers. In their dynamic regulation, HERVs have also proved to be important determinants of pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (ESC) and of the reprogramming process of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In many types of tumors, essential characteristics of aggressiveness have been associated with the achievement of stemness features, often accompanied with the identification of defined subpopulations, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), which possess stem cell-like properties and sustain tumorigenesis. Indeed, CSCs show high self-renewal capacity with a peculiar potential in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, heterogeneity, recurrence, radiotherapy and drug resistance. However, HERVs role in CSCs biology is still not fully elucidated. In this regard, CD133 is a widely recognized marker of CSCs, and our group demonstrated, for the first time, the requirement of HERV-K activation to expand and maintain a CD133+ melanoma cell subpopulation with stemness features in response to microenvironmental modifications. The review will discuss HERVs expression as cancer hallmark, with particular focus on their role in the regulation of cancer stemness features and the potential involvement as targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ayele Argaw-Denboba
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, 1, 00133, Rome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
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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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14
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Cooccurrences of Putative Endogenous Retrovirus-Associated Diseases. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:7973165. [PMID: 28326328 PMCID: PMC5343228 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7973165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
At least 8% of the human genome is composed of endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequences. ERVs play a role in placental morphogenesis and can sometimes protect the host against exogenous viruses. On the other hand, ERV reactivation has been found to be associated with different diseases, for example, multiple sclerosis (MS), schizophrenia, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Little is known about the cooccurrence of these diseases. If all these diseases are caused by ERV, antiretroviral therapy should perhaps also show some effects in the other diseases. Here, we summarize literature demonstrating that some ERV-associated diseases seem to appear together more often than expected, for example, MS and ALS, MS and T1D, MS and schizophrenia, or ALS and T1D. In contrast, some ERV-associated diseases seem to appear together less frequently than expected, for example, schizophrenia and T1D. Besides, some reports demonstrate amelioration of MS, ALS, or schizophrenia under antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. If such results could be confirmed in larger studies, alternative therapy strategies for ERV-associated diseases like MS and schizophrenia might be possible.
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Bashratyan R, Regn D, Rahman MJ, Marquardt K, Fink E, Hu WY, Elder JH, Binley J, Sherman LA, Dai YD. Type 1 diabetes pathogenesis is modulated by spontaneous autoimmune responses to endogenous retrovirus antigens in NOD mice. Eur J Immunol 2017; 47:575-584. [PMID: 28083937 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Secreted microvesicles (MVs) are potent inflammatory triggers that stimulate autoreactive B and T cells, causing Type 1 Diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Proteomic analysis of purified MVs released from islet cells detected the presence of endogenous retrovirus (ERV) antigens, including Env and Gag sequences similar to the well-characterized murine leukemia retroviruses. This raises the possibility that ERV antigens may be expressed in the pancreatic islets via MV secretion. Using virus-like particles produced by co-expressing ERV Env and Gag antigens, and a recombinant gp70 Env protein, we demonstrated that NOD but not diabetes-resistant mice developed anti-Env autoantibodies that increase in titer as disease progresses. A lentiviral-based RNA interference knockdown of Gag revealed that Gag contributes to the MV-induced T-cell response, whose diabetogenic function can be demonstrated via cell-transfer into immune-deficient mice. Finally, we observed that Gag and Env are expressed in NOD islet-derived primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, MSCs derived from the islets of diabetes-resistant mice do not express the antigens. Taken together, abnormal ERV activation and secretion of MVs may induce anti-retroviral responses to trigger autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Bashratyan
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Danielle Regn
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Jubayer Rahman
- Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kristi Marquardt
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Fink
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wen-Yuan Hu
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Biosettia Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - John H Elder
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James Binley
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Linda A Sherman
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yang D Dai
- Department of Immunology & Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Activation of endogenous human stem cell-associated retroviruses (SCARs) and therapy-resistant phenotypes of malignant tumors. Cancer Lett 2016; 376:347-59. [PMID: 27084523 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent reports revealed consistent activation of specific endogenous retroviral elements in human preimplantation embryos and embryonic stem cells. Activity of stem cell associated retroviruses (SCARs) has been implicated in seeding thousands of human-specific regulatory sequences in the hESC genome. Activation of specific SCARs has been demonstrated in patients diagnosed with multiple types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, and appears associated with clinically lethal therapy resistant death-from-cancer phenotypes in a sub-set of cancer patients diagnosed with different types of malignant tumors. A hallmark feature of human-specific SCAR integration sites is deletions of ancestral DNA. Analysis of human-specific genetic loci of SCARs' stemness networks in tumor samples of TCGA cohorts representing 29 cancer types suggests that this approach may facilitate identification of pan-cancer genomic signatures of clinically-lethal disease defined by the presence of somatic non-silent mutations, gene-level copy number changes, and transcripts and proteins' expression of SCAR-regulated host genes. Present analyses indicate that multiple lines of strong circumstantial evidence support the hypothesis that activation of SCARs' networks may play an important role in cancer progression and metastasis, perhaps contributing to the emergence of clinically-lethal therapy-resistant death-from-cancer phenotypes.
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Rodriguez-Calvo T, Suwandi JS, Amirian N, Zapardiel-Gonzalo J, Anquetil F, Sabouri S, von Herrath MG. Heterogeneity and Lobularity of Pancreatic Pathology in Type 1 Diabetes during the Prediabetic Phase. J Histochem Cytochem 2015. [PMID: 26216138 DOI: 10.1369/0022155415576543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which insulin-producing beta cells are destroyed in the islets of Langerhans. One of its main pathological manifestations is the hyper-expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex I (MHC-I) by beta cells, which was first described over 3 decades ago yet its cause remains unknown. It might not only be a sign of beta cell dysfunction but could also render the cells susceptible to autoimmune destruction; for example, by islet-infiltrating CD8 T cells. In this report, we studied pancreas tissue from a 22-year-old non-diabetic male cadaveric organ donor who had been at high risk of developing T1D, in which autoantibodies against GAD and IA-2 were detected. Pancreas sections were analyzed for signs of inflammation. Multiple insulin-containing islets were identified, which hyper-expressed MHC-I. However, islet density and MHC-I expression exhibited a highly lobular and heterogeneous pattern even within the same section. In addition, many islets with high expression of MHC-I presented higher levels of CD8 T cell infiltration than normal islets. These results demonstrate the heterogeneity of human pathology that occurs early during the pre-diabetic, autoantibody positive phase, and should contribute to the understanding of human T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Rodriguez-Calvo
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California (TRC, JSS, NA, JZG, FA, SS, MGVH)
| | - Jessica S Suwandi
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California (TRC, JSS, NA, JZG, FA, SS, MGVH),Department of Immunohematology & Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands (JSS)
| | - Natalie Amirian
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California (TRC, JSS, NA, JZG, FA, SS, MGVH)
| | - Jose Zapardiel-Gonzalo
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California (TRC, JSS, NA, JZG, FA, SS, MGVH)
| | - Florence Anquetil
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California (TRC, JSS, NA, JZG, FA, SS, MGVH)
| | - Somayeh Sabouri
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California (TRC, JSS, NA, JZG, FA, SS, MGVH)
| | - Matthias G von Herrath
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California (TRC, JSS, NA, JZG, FA, SS, MGVH),Novo Nordisk Diabetes Research & Development Center, Seattle, Washington (MGVH)
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Transcriptional activity of human endogenous retroviruses in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:164529. [PMID: 25734056 PMCID: PMC4334862 DOI: 10.1155/2015/164529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been implicated in human physiology and in human pathology. A better knowledge of the retroviral transcriptional activity in the general population and during the life span would greatly help the debate on its pathologic potential. The transcriptional activity of four HERV families (H, K, W, and E) was assessed, by qualitative and quantitative PCR, in PBMCs from 261 individuals aged from 1 to 80 years. Our results show that HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W, but not HERV-E, are transcriptionally active in the test population already in the early childhood. In addition, the transcriptional levels of HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W change significantly during the life span, albeit with distinct patterns. Our results, reinforce the hypothesis of a physiological correlation between HERVs activity and the different stages of life in humans. Studies aiming at identifying the factors, which are responsible for these changes during the individual's life, are still needed. Although the observed phenomena are presumably subjected to great variability, the basal transcriptional activity of each individual, also depending on the different ages of life, must be carefully considered in all the studies involving HERVs as causative agents of disease.
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Hohn O, Hanke K, Bannert N. HERV-K(HML-2), the Best Preserved Family of HERVs: Endogenization, Expression, and Implications in Health and Disease. Front Oncol 2013; 3:246. [PMID: 24066280 PMCID: PMC3778440 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retroviruses that have the ability to infect germ line cells can become an integral and inherited part of the host genome. About 8% of the human chromosomal DNA consists of sequences derived from infections by retroviruses that presumably circulated 2-40 millions of years ago, and some elements are actually much older. Post-insertional recombinations, deletions, and mutations have rendered all known human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) non-infectious. However some, particularly the most recently acquired proviruses of the HERV-K(HML-2) family, can expresses viral proteins and produce viral particles. In this review we will first discuss the major aspects of the endogenization process and peculiarities of the different HERV-K families. We will then focus on the genes and proteins encoded by HERV-K(HML-2) as well as inactivation of these proviruses by postinsertional mutations and their inhibition by antiretroviral factors. After describing the evolutionary interplay between host and endogenous retrovirus we will delve deeper into the currently limited understanding of HERV-K and its possible association with disease, particularly tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Hohn
- Division for HIV and Other Retroviruses, Robert Koch Institute , Berlin , Germany
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de la Hera B, Varadé J, García-Montojo M, Lamas JR, de la Encarnación A, Arroyo R, Fernández-Gutiérrez B, Álvarez-Lafuente R, Urcelay E. Role of the human endogenous retrovirus HERV-K18 in autoimmune disease susceptibility: study in the Spanish population and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62090. [PMID: 23634223 PMCID: PMC3636236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genomic sequences that resulted from ancestral germ-line infections by exogenous retroviruses and therefore are transmitted in a Mendelian fashion. Increased HERV expression and antibodies to HERV antigens have been found in various autoimmune diseases. HERV-K18 in chromosome 1 was previously associated with type one diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS). The etiology of these complex conditions has not been completely elucidated even after the powerful genome wide association studies (GWAS) performed. Nonetheless, this approach does not scrutinize the repetitive sequences within the genome, and part of the missing heritability could lie behind these sequences. We aimed at evaluating the role of HERV-K18 in chromosome 1 on autoimmune disease susceptibility. Methods Two HERV-K18 SNPs (97Y/C and 154W/Stop substitutions) conforming three haplotypes were genotyped in Spanish cohorts of multiple sclerosis (n = 942), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 462) and ethnically matched controls (n = 601). Our findings were pooled in a meta-analysis including 5312 autoimmune patients and 4032 controls. Results Significant associations of both HERV-K18 polymorphisms in chromosome 1 with MS patients stratified by HLA-DRB1*15∶01 were observed [97Y/C p = 0.02; OR (95% CI) = 1.5 (1.04–2.17) and 154W/Stop: p = 0.001; OR (95% CI) = 1.6 (1.19–2.16)]. Combined meta-analysis of the previously published association studies of HERV-K18 with different autoimmune diseases, together with data derived from Spanish cohorts, yielded a significant association of the HERV-K18.3 haplotype [97Y–154W: pM-H = 0.0008; ORM-H (95% CI) = 1.22 (1.09–1.38)]. Conclusion Association of the HERV-K18.3 haplotype in chromosome 1 with autoimmune-disease susceptibility was confirmed through meta-analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén de la Hera
- Immunology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jezabel Varadé
- Immunology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta García-Montojo
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - José Ramón Lamas
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana de la Encarnación
- Immunology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Arroyo
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Benjamín Fernández-Gutiérrez
- Rheumatology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Álvarez-Lafuente
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Urcelay
- Immunology Department, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Balestrieri E, Arpino C, Matteucci C, Sorrentino R, Pica F, Alessandrelli R, Coniglio A, Curatolo P, Rezza G, Macciardi F, Garaci E, Gaudi S, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P. HERVs expression in Autism Spectrum Disorders. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48831. [PMID: 23155411 PMCID: PMC3498248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder, resulting from complex interactions among genetic, genomic and environmental factors. Here we have studied the expression of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs), non-coding DNA elements with potential regulatory functions, and have tested their possible implication in autism. METHODS The presence of retroviral mRNAs from four HERV families (E, H, K and W), widely implicated in complex diseases, was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from ASD patients and healthy controls (HCs) by qualitative RT-PCR. We also analyzed the expression of the env sequence from HERV-H, HERV-W and HERV-K families in PBMCs at the time of sampling and after stimulation in culture, in both ASD and HC groups, by quantitative Real-time PCR. Differences between groups were evaluated using statistical methods. RESULTS The percentage of HERV-H and HERV-W positive samples was higher among ASD patients compared to HCs, while HERV-K was similarly represented and HERV-E virtually absent in both groups. The quantitative evaluation shows that HERV-H and HERV-W are differentially expressed in the two groups, with HERV-H being more abundantly expressed and, conversely, HERV-W, having lower abundance, in PBMCs from ASDs compared to healthy controls. PMBCs from ASDs also showed an increased potential to up-regulate HERV-H expression upon stimulation in culture, unlike HCs. Furthermore we report a negative correlation between expression levels of HERV-H and age among ASD patients and a statistically significant higher expression in ASD patients with Severe score in Communication and Motor Psychoeducational Profile-3. CONCLUSIONS Specific HERV families have a distinctive expression profile in ASD patients compared to HCs. We propose that HERV-H expression be explored in larger samples of individuals with autism spectrum in order to determine its utility as a novel biological trait of this complex disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Balestrieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Arpino
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Neuroscience Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Matteucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Sorrentino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Pica
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Alessandrelli
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Neuroscience Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Coniglio
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Neuroscience Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Curatolo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Neuroscience Department, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rezza
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Macciardi
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrico Garaci
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Gaudi
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sinibaldi-Vallebona
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Brodziak A, Ziółko E, Muc-Wierzgoń M, Nowakowska-Zajdel E, Kokot T, Klakla K. The role of human endogenous retroviruses in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Med Sci Monit 2012; 18:RA80-8. [PMID: 22648263 PMCID: PMC3560723 DOI: 10.12659/msm.882892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a new, recently formulated theory, which concerns the etiopathological process of autoimmune diseases. This theory takes into account the existence in the human genome, since approximately 40 million years, of so-called human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), which are transmitted to descendants “vertically” by the germ cells. It was recently established that these generally silent sequences perform some physiological roles, but occasionally become active and influence the development of some chronic diseases like diabetes, some neoplasms, chronic diseases of the nervous system (eg, sclerosis multiplex), schizophrenia and autoimmune diseases. We present a short synopsis of immunological processes involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as molecular mimicry, epitope spreading and activation of the superantigen. We then focus on experimental findings related to systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome and some diseases of hepar and otorhinal tissues. We conclude the outline of this new model of the development of chronic diseases and indicate the conclusions important for the teaching of the basis of pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Brodziak
- Department of Internal Diseases, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Silesia, Bytom, Poland.
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Abstract
Recent advances in epigenetics have enhanced our knowledge of how environmental factors (UV radiation, drugs, infections, etc.) contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases (AID) in genetically predisposed individuals. Studies conducted in monozygotic twins discordant for AID and spontaneous autoimmune animal models have highlighted the importance of DNA methylation changes and histone modifications. Alterations in the epigenetic pattern seem to be cell specific, as CD4+ T cells and B cells are dysregulated in systemic lupus erythematosus, synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis and cerebral cells in multiple sclerosis. With regard to lymphocytes, the control of tolerance is affected, leading to the development of autoreactive cells. Other epigenetic processes, such as the newly described miRNAs, and post-translational protein modifications may also be suspected. Altogether, a conceptual revolution is in progress, in AID, with potential new therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic patterns.
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Balada E, Castro-Marrero J, Pujol AP, Torres-Salido MT, Vilardell-Tarrés M, Ordi-Ros J. Enhanced transcript levels of CD48 in CD4⁺ T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Immunobiology 2011; 216:1034-7. [PMID: 21474199 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2011.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Revised: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
It is known that CD48 regulates T-cell activation. We evaluated the transcriptional expression of CD48 in CD4⁺ T cells from 30 SLE patients and 30 healthy controls. CD48 mRNA levels were considerably higher in the patients group: 1.80 ± 1.41 versus 1.10 ± 0.50 (p=0.023). An inverse correlation was obtained with respect to CD48 mRNA levels and age in the control group (r= -0.478, p=0.007). None association was found between CD48 mRNA expression and levels of anti-dsDNA, complement, or lymphocyte counts. Alternatively, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between CD48 transcript levels and SLEDAI values (r=0.372, p=0.042). The higher CD48 mRNA levels observed in CD4⁺ T cells from SLE patients and the positive correlation found with SLEDAI lead us to infer that an overexpression of the protein coded by this gene may have important consequences on the development of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Balada
- Research Unit in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
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The transposon-driven evolutionary origin and basis of histone deacetylase functions and limitations in disease prevention. Clin Epigenetics 2011; 2:97-112. [PMID: 22704332 PMCID: PMC3365375 DOI: 10.1007/s13148-011-0020-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are homologous to prokaryotic enzymes that removed acetyl groups from non-histone proteins before the evolution of eukaryotic histones. Enzymes inherited from prokaryotes or from a common ancestor were adapted for histone deacetylation, while useful deacetylation of non-histone proteins was selectively retained. Histone deacetylation served to prevent transcriptions with pathological consequences, including the expression of viral DNA and the deletion or dysregulation of vital genes by random transposon insertions. Viruses are believed to have evolved from transposons, with transposons providing the earliest impetus of HDAC evolution. Because of the wide range of genes potentially affected by transposon insertions, the range of diseases that can be prevented by HDACs is vast and inclusive. Repressive chromatin modifications that may prevent transcription also include methylation of selective lysine residues of histones H3 and H4 and the methylation of selective DNA cytosines following specific histone lysine methylation. Methylation and acetylation of individual histone residues are mutually exclusive. While transposons were sources of disease to be prevented by HDAC evolution, they were also the source of numerous and valuable coding and regulatory sequences recruited by “molecular domestication.” Those sequences contribute to evolved complex transcription regulation in which components with contradictory effects, such as HDACs and HATs, may be coordinated and complementary. Within complex transcription regulation, however, HDACs remain ineffective as defense against some critical infectious and non-infectious diseases because evolutionary compromises have rendered their activity transient.
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Balada E, Vilardell-Tarrés M, Ordi-Ros J. Implication of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Development of Autoimmune Diseases. Int Rev Immunol 2010; 29:351-70. [DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2010.485333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Molecular characterization of a novel gammaretrovirus in killer whales (Orcinus orca). J Virol 2009; 83:12956-67. [PMID: 19812152 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01354-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
There are currently no published data documenting the presence of retroviruses in cetaceans, though the occurrences of cancers and immunodeficiency states suggest the potential. We examined tissues from adult killer whales and detected a novel gammaretrovirus by degenerate PCR. Reverse transcription-PCR also demonstrated tissue and serum expression of retroviral mRNA. The full-length sequence of the provirus was obtained by PCR, and a TaqMan-based copy number assay did not demonstrate evidence of productive infection. PCR on blood samples from 11 healthy captive killer whales and tissues from 3 free-ranging animals detected the proviral DNA in all tissues examined from all animals. A survey of multiple cetacean species by PCR for gag, pol, and env sequences showed homologs of this virus in the DNA of eight species of delphinids, pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, and harbor porpoises, but not in beluga or fin whales. Analysis of the bottlenose dolphin genome revealed two full-length proviral sequences with 97.4% and 96.9% nucleotide identity to the killer whale gammaretrovirus. The results of single-cell PCR on killer whale sperm and Southern blotting are also consistent with the conclusion that the provirus is endogenous. We suggest that this gammaretrovirus entered the delphinoid ancestor's genome before the divergence of modern dolphins or that an exogenous variant existed following divergence that was ultimately endogenized. However, the transcriptional activity demonstrated in tissues and the nearly intact viral genome suggest a more recent integration into the killer whale genome, favoring the latter hypothesis. The proposed name for this retrovirus is killer whale endogenous retrovirus.
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Balada E, Ordi-Ros J, Vilardell-Tarrés M. Molecular mechanisms mediated by human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in autoimmunity. Rev Med Virol 2009; 19:273-86. [DOI: 10.1002/rmv.622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Jha AR, Pillai SK, York VA, Sharp ER, Storm EC, Wachter DJ, Martin JN, Deeks SG, Rosenberg MG, Nixon DF, Garrison KE. Cross-sectional dating of novel haplotypes of HERV-K 113 and HERV-K 115 indicate these proviruses originated in Africa before Homo sapiens. Mol Biol Evol 2009; 26:2617-26. [PMID: 19666991 PMCID: PMC2760466 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msp180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human genome, human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), of which HERV-K113 and HERV-K115 are the only known full-length proviruses that are insertionally polymorphic. Although a handful of previously published papers have documented their prevalence in the global population; to date, there has been no report on their prevalence in the United States population. Here, we studied the geographic distribution of K113 and K115 among 156 HIV-1+ subjects from the United States, including African Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians. In the individuals studied, we found higher insertion frequencies of K113 (21%) and K115 (35%) in African Americans compared with Caucasians (K113 9% and K115 6%) within the United States. We also report the presence of three single nucleotide polymorphism sites in the K113 5′ long terminal repeats (LTRs) and four in the K115 5′ LTR that together constituted four haplotypes for K113 and five haplotypes for K115. HERV insertion times can be estimated from the sequence differences between the 5′ and 3′ LTR of each insertion, but this dating method cannot be used with HERV-K115. We developed a method to estimate insertion times by applying coalescent inference to 5′ LTR sequences within our study population and validated this approach using an independent estimate derived from the genetic distance between K113 5′ and 3′ LTR sequences. Using our method, we estimated the insertion dates of K113 and K115 to be a minimum of 800,000 and 1.1 million years ago, respectively. Both these insertion dates predate the emergence of anatomically modern Homo sapiens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aashish R Jha
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
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Dickerson F, Rubalcaba E, Viscidi R, Yang S, Stallings C, Sullens A, Origoni A, Leister F, Yolken R. Polymorphisms in human endogenous retrovirus K-18 and risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2008; 104:121-6. [PMID: 18617371 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2008.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2008] [Revised: 05/01/2008] [Accepted: 05/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes is a major health problem in individuals with schizophrenia. The genetic basis of diabetes risk in individuals with schizophrenia has not been previously defined. We measured polymorphisms in a human endogenous retrovirus, Herv K-18, which is located in the CD48 signaling lymphocyte activating (SLAM) gene on chromosome 1. The study population consisted of 229 individuals with schizophrenia, 29 of whom had a history of type 2 diabetes, as well as 136 control individuals without a history of a psychiatric disorder or type 2 diabetes. We found that a haplotype defined by 2 polymorphisms in the envelope region of Herv K-18 is highly associated with type 2 diabetes in a population of 229 individuals with schizophrenia, with an odds ratio of 9.0 (95% confidence limits 2.3-34.7, p<.001) adjusted for race, gender and type of antipsychotic medication. Lower levels of association were found in other polymorphisms located in the 3'untranslated region of Herv K-18 and in adjacent loci in CD48. Polymorphisms in endogenous retroviruses which are located near immunomodulatory genes may constitute risk factors for diabetes in individuals with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Dickerson
- Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21285, United States
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Tai AK, O'Reilly EJ, Alroy KA, Simon KC, Munger KL, Huber BT, Ascherio A. Human endogenous retrovirus-K18 Env as a risk factor in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2008; 14:1175-80. [PMID: 18701576 DOI: 10.1177/1352458508094641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundThe human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K18 Env is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated superantigen. Given the evidence for a role of EBV in the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), HERV-K18 Env is a plausible candidate for association with MS.ObjectiveTo assess whether variation in HERV-K18 Env is a risk factor for MS.MethodsWe developed a single nucleotide polymorphism-based genotyping method to determine the distribution of the three alleles of HERV-K18 env. We then conducted a nested case-control study including 207 MS cases and 403 matched controls. Analyses were replicated in an independent series of 909 MS cases and 339 controls.ResultsOverall, there was a significant association between HERV-K18 env genotype and MS risk (chi2 P = 0.03). As compared with K18.2/K18.2 individuals, risk of MS was three fold higher among K18.3/K18.3 individuals (P = 0.03). An increase in MS risk among carriers of the K18.3 allele was also observed in the replication study, but did not reach statistical significance. In pooled analyses, K18.3/K18.3 individuals had a significantly increased risk of MS (relative risks [RR] comparing K18.3/K18.3 vs K18.2/K18.2 = 2.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-6.4).ConclusionVariation in EBV-associated superantigen HERV-K18 Env could influence the genetic susceptibility to MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Tai
- Department of Pathology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Moyes D, Griffiths DJ, Venables PJ. Insertional polymorphisms: a new lease of life for endogenous retroviruses in human disease. Trends Genet 2007; 23:326-33. [PMID: 17524519 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2007.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2007] [Revised: 04/16/2007] [Accepted: 05/11/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) result from ancestral infection by infectious viruses over millions of years of primate evolution. Some are transcriptionally active, express proteins and therefore have the potential to cause disease. Here we review the controversial attempts to link them with cancer and autoimmunity. The main difficulty is that most HERVs investigated to date are present at the same locus in 100% of the population. However, a new class of insertionally polymorphic HERV-K family members, present in a minority of individuals, has recently been described. We propose that insertionally polymorphic HERVs could be novel genetic risk factors and hence provide a new lease of life for research into HERVs and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Moyes
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Abstract
Molecular epidemiologic proof that HERVs and other retroelements are involved in autoimmunity or other disorders is complicated by their large numbers in the human genome. As discussed, most HERVs are no longer functional or active because of the accumulation of mutations, frameshifts, and deletions. Detection or quantification of HERV transcripts that may be pathologically involved in a particular autoimmune disease thus is often compromised by the presence in great excess of related, but nonfunctional, RNA. This phenomenon should not deter active work in the field, although it will require development of improved methods to discriminate accurately between closely related RNA transcripts. Development of improved immunologic methods to precisely identify epitopes on autoantigens or rare self-reactive T-cell clones may further implicate HERVs and the other repetitive elements in regulation of the immune system in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Colmegna
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 2020 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Molinaro RJ, Jha BK, Malathi K, Varambally S, Chinnaiyan AM, Silverman RH. Selection and cloning of poly(rC)-binding protein 2 and Raf kinase inhibitor protein RNA activators of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase from prostate cancer cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:6684-95. [PMID: 17145707 PMCID: PMC1751551 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The antiviral and antitumor functions of RNase L are enabled by binding to the allosteric effectors 5'-phosphorylated, 2',5'-linked oligoadenylates (2-5A). 2-5A is produced by interferon-inducible 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) upon activation by viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Because mutations in RNase L have been implicated as risk factors for prostate cancer, we sought to determine if OAS activators are present in prostate cancer cells. We show that prostate cancer cell lines (PC3, LNCaP and DU145), but not normal prostate epithelial cells (PrEC), contain RNA fractions capable of binding to and activating OAS. To identify the RNA activators, we developed a cDNA cloning strategy based on stringent affinity of RNAs for OAS. We thus identified mRNAs for Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) and poly(rC)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2) that bind and potently activate OAS. In addition, human endogenous retrovirus (hERV) envelope RNAs were present in PC3 cells that bind and activate OAS. Analysis of several gene expression profiling studies indicated that PCBP2 RNA was consistently elevated in metastatic prostate cancer. Results suggest that OAS activation may occur in prostate cancer cells in vivo stimulated by cellular mRNAs for RKIP and PCBP2.
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MESH Headings
- 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase/metabolism
- Adenine Nucleotides/chemistry
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cloning, Molecular
- Endogenous Retroviruses/genetics
- Enzyme Activation
- Gene Products, env/genetics
- Humans
- Male
- Oligoribonucleotides/chemistry
- Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein/genetics
- Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein/metabolism
- Prostate/metabolism
- Prostatic Neoplasms/enzymology
- Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics
- Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/isolation & purification
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/isolation & purification
- RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- RNA, Viral/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross J. Molinaro
- Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State UniversityEuclid Avenue at East 24th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Babal Kant Jha
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Krishnamurthy Malathi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Sooryanarayana Varambally
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School1400 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School1400 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Arul M. Chinnaiyan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School1400 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School1400 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Robert H. Silverman
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 216 445 9650; Fax: +1 216 445 6269;
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Schulz WA, Steinhoff C, Florl AR. Methylation of endogenous human retroelements in health and disease. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2006; 310:211-50. [PMID: 16909913 DOI: 10.1007/3-540-31181-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Retroelements constitute approximately 45% of the human genome. Long interspersed nuclear element (LINE) autonomous retrotransposons are predominantly represented by LINE-1, nonautonomous small interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) are primarily represented by ALUs, and LTR retrotransposons by several families of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). The vast majority of LINE and HERV elements are densely methylated in normal somatic cells and contained in inactive chromatin. Methylation and chromatin structure together ensure a stable equilibrium between retroelements and their host. Hypomethylation and expression in developing germ cells opens a "window of opportunity" for retrotransposition and recombination that contribute to human evolution, but also inherited disease. In somatic cells, the presence of retroelements may be exploited to organize the genome into active and inactive regions, to separate domains and functional regions within one chromatin domain, to suppress transcriptional noise, and to regulate transcript stability. Retroelements, particularly ALUs, may also fulfill physiological roles during responses to stress and infections. Reactivation and hypomethylation of LINEs and HERVs may be important in the pathophysiology of cancer and various autoimmune diseases, contributing to chromosomal instability and chronically aberrant immune responses. The emerging insights into the pathophysiological importance of endogenous retroelements accentuate the gaps in our knowledge of how these elements are controlled in normal developing and mature cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- W A Schulz
- Urologische Klinik, Heinrich Heine Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Ramos-Lopez E, Ghebru S, Van Autreve J, Aminkeng F, Herwig J, Seifried E, Seidl C, Van der Auwera B, Badenhoop K. Neither an intronic CA repeat within the CD48 gene nor the HERV-K18 polymorphisms are associated with type 1 diabetes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 68:147-52. [PMID: 16866884 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2006.00637.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune heterogeneous disease that is determined by environmental and genetic factors. A possible retroviral etiology has been inferred from the observation that human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K18 encoding a superantigen (SAg) has a polymorphism associated with this disease. Type 1 diabetes families from Germany and Belgium were genotyped for the novel HERV-8914 (303 families) and for the known HERV-8594 (284 families) polymorphisms within the SAg-coding region on the HERV-K18. Case-control analysis was performed for the HERV-8914 polymorphism (506 patients) and for the HERV-8594 polymorphism (370 patients) and compared with 350 German controls. Haplotypes were constructed. Additionally, a microsatellite within the CD48 gene was analyzed in German type 1 diabetes families (n=125) as well as in patients (n=375) and in healthy controls (n=350). No association was found for HERV-K18 polymorphisms or the CA repeat within the CD48 gene with type 1 diabetes mellitus either in families or by comparing patients and controls. In conclusion, we cannot confirm a role of HERV-K18 polymorphisms -HERV-8914 and HERV-8594- or of the CD48 CA repeat for type 1 diabetes susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ramos-Lopez
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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40
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Infectious agents and gene–environmental interactions in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cnr.2006.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Leupin O, Attanasio C, Marguerat S, Tapernoux M, Antonarakis SE, Conrad B. Transcriptional activation by bidirectional RNA polymerase II elongation over a silent promoter. EMBO Rep 2005; 6:956-60. [PMID: 16113646 PMCID: PMC1369183 DOI: 10.1038/sj.embor.7400502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2005] [Revised: 06/10/2005] [Accepted: 07/07/2005] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional interference denotes negative cis effects between promoters. Here, we show that promoters can also interact positively. Bidirectional RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation over the silent human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K 18 promoter (representative of 2.5 x 10(3) similar promoters genomewide) activates transcription. In tandem constructs, an upstream promoter activates HERV-K 18 transcription. This is abolished by inversion of the upstream promoter, or by insertion of a poly(A) signal between the promoters; transcription is restored by poly(A) signal mutants. TATA-box mutants in the upstream promoter reduce HERV-K 18 transcription. Experiments with the same promoters in a convergent orientation produce similar effects. A small promoter deletion partially restores HERV-K 18 activity, consistent with activation resulting from repressor repulsion by the elongating Pol II. Transcriptional elongation over this class of intragenic promoters will generate co-regulated sense-antisense transcripts, or, alternatively initiating transcripts, thus expanding the diversity and complexity of the human transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Leupin
- Department of Genetic Medicine & Development, University of Geneva Medical School, CMU, 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Catia Attanasio
- Department of Genetic Medicine & Development, University of Geneva Medical School, CMU, 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Marguerat
- Department of Genetics & Microbiology, University of Geneva Medical School, CMU, 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Myriam Tapernoux
- Department of Genetics & Microbiology, University of Geneva Medical School, CMU, 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stylianos E Antonarakis
- Department of Genetic Medicine & Development, University of Geneva Medical School, CMU, 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Conrad
- Department of Genetic Medicine & Development, University of Geneva Medical School, CMU, 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Genetics & Microbiology, University of Geneva Medical School, CMU, 1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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Meylan F, De Smedt M, Leclercq G, Plum J, Leupin O, Marguerat S, Conrad B. Negative thymocyte selection to HERV-K18 superantigens in humans. Blood 2005; 105:4377-82. [PMID: 15644416 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2004-07-2596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
An experimental system to explore central tolerance in humans is unavailable. However, the human endogenous retrovirus K-18 (HERV-K18) region on chromosome 1 provides an excellent model: HERV-K18 encodes a superantigen (SAg) stimulating Vβ7CD4 T cells that is implicated in type 1 diabetes and Epstein-Barr virus persistence. In this study, we have addressed thymic HERV-K18 SAg expression, the capacity of SAg to induce negative selection, and the consequences of this for peripheral tolerance compared with SAg reactivity. We demonstrate that thymic HERV-K18 SAg expression is constitutive and is restricted in time and space such that it can induce negative selection. We developed an in vitro assay capable of detecting negative human thymocyte selection by bacterial SAgs presented on extrathymic antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Using this assay, the HERV-K18 SAg is necessary and sufficient for negative selection of immature or semimature Vβ7CD4 thymocytes. Decreases of SAg reactive Vβ7CD4 T cells generated in the thymus predict low or absent SAg reactivity. Therefore, these results indicate that negative thymic selection to HERV-K18 SAgs constitutes a first checkpoint controlling peripheral tolerance compared with SAg reactivity. This study now offers a framework to dissect negative selection and its interplay with viral persistence and autoimmunity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Meylan
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, CH-1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
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Current literature in diabetes. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2005; 21:71-8. [PMID: 15624121 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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