1
|
Hekim N, Gunes S, Ergun S, Asci R. Insertional Variations of Human Endogenous Virus K6 and K11 in Normozoospermic Men. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:267-274. [PMID: 37710087 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01346-1] [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: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility is a multifactorial heterogeneous reproductive disorder in which genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors play a role in the development of disease. Recent studies have shown that retrotransposon expression alterations may be related to impairment of spermatogenesis. Therefore, in this pilot study, we aimed to investigate whether HERV-K6 and HERV-K11 insertional variations have a role in idiopathic infertility among normozoospermic men. Genomic DNA isolated from the blood samples of 41 infertile normozoospermic and 45 fertile normozoospermic men were analyzed by inter-retrotransposon polymorphism polymerase chain reaction. HERV-K6 variation rates in the infertile and the fertile group were 0-58.3% and 0-53.4%, respectively. The variation rates of HERV-K11 were 0-75.0% in infertile and 0-77.8% in fertile men. The HERV-K6 and HERV-K11 insertion rates of the fertile group were higher than the infertile group (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.007, respectively). The findings of the study suggest that HERV-K6 and HERV-K11 retrotransposon insertion show variation among individuals, and their insertions might be associated with male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neslihan Hekim
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, 55139, Turkey.
| | - Sezgin Gunes
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, 55139, Turkey
- Graduate Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Sercan Ergun
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, 55139, Turkey
- Graduate Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Ramazan Asci
- Graduate Institute, Department of Molecular Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Urology, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu M, Jia L, Guo X, Zhai X, Li H, Liu Y, Han J, Zhang B, Wang X, Li T, Wang Y, Li J, Yu C, Li L. Identification and Characterization of the HERV-K (HML-8) Group of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Genome. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2023; 39:176-194. [PMID: 36656667 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2022.0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) can be vertically transmitted in a Mendelian fashion, are stably maintained in the human genome, and are estimated to constitute ∼8% of the genome. HERVs affect human physiology and pathology through their provirus-encoded protein or long terminal repeat (LTR) element effect. Characterization of the genomic distribution is an essential step to understanding the relationships between endogenous retrovirus expression and diseases. However, the poor characterization of human MMTV-like (HML)-8 prevents a detailed understanding of the regulation of the expression of this family in humans and its impact on the host genome. In light of this, the definition of an accurate and updated HERV-K HML-8 genomic map is urgently needed. In this study, we report the results of a comprehensive analysis of HERV-K HML-8 sequence presence and distribution within the human genome and hominoids, with a detailed description of the different structural and phylogenetic aspects characterizing the group. A total of 40 proviruses and 5 solo LTR elements for human were characterized, which included a detailed description of provirus structure, integration time, potentially regulated genes, transcription factor-binding sites, and primer-binding site features. Besides, 9 chimpanzee sequences, 8 gorilla sequences, and 10 orangutan sequences belonging to the HML-8 subgroup were identified. The integration time results showed that the HML-8 elements were integrated into the primate lineage around 35 and 42 million years ago (mya), during primates evolutionary speciation. Overall, the results clarified the composition of the HML-8 groups, providing an exhaustive background for subsequent functional studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengying Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Jia
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Guo
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiuli Zhai
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China.,Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hanping Li
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Yongjian Liu
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwan Han
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Bohan Zhang
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyi Li
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Yanglan Wang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyun Li
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| | - Changyuan Yu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Virology, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Di Giorgio E, Xodo LE. Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs): Does RLR (RIG-I-Like Receptors)-MAVS Pathway Directly Control Senescence and Aging as a Consequence of ERV De-Repression? Front Immunol 2022; 13:917998. [PMID: 35757716 PMCID: PMC9218063 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.917998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bi-directional transcription of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (hERVs) is a common feature of autoimmunity, neurodegeneration and cancer. Higher rates of cancer incidence, neurodegeneration and autoimmunity but a lower prevalence of autoimmune diseases characterize elderly people. Although the re-expression of hERVs is commonly observed in different cellular models of senescence as a result of the loss of their epigenetic transcriptional silencing, the hERVs modulation during aging is more complex, with a peak of activation in the sixties and a decline in the nineties. What is clearly accepted, instead, is the impact of the re-activation of dormant hERV on the maintenance of stemness and tissue self-renewing properties. An innate cellular immunity system, based on the RLR-MAVS circuit, controls the degradation of dsRNAs arising from the transcription of hERV elements, similarly to what happens for the accumulation of cytoplasmic DNA leading to the activation of cGAS/STING pathway. While agonists and inhibitors of the cGAS-STING pathway are considered promising immunomodulatory molecules, the effect of the RLR-MAVS pathway on innate immunity is still largely based on correlations and not on causality. Here we review the most recent evidence regarding the activation of MDA5-RIG1-MAVS pathway as a result of hERV de-repression during aging, immunosenescence, cancer and autoimmunity. We will also deal with the epigenetic mechanisms controlling hERV repression and with the strategies that can be adopted to modulate hERV expression in a therapeutic perspective. Finally, we will discuss if the RLR-MAVS signalling pathway actively modulates physiological and pathological conditions or if it is passively activated by them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Luigi E Xodo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Caruso G, Musso N, Grasso M, Costantino A, Lazzarino G, Tascedda F, Gulisano M, Lunte SM, Caraci F. Microfluidics as a Novel Tool for Biological and Toxicological Assays in Drug Discovery Processes: Focus on Microchip Electrophoresis. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:E593. [PMID: 32549277 PMCID: PMC7344675 DOI: 10.3390/mi11060593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The last decades of biological, toxicological, and pharmacological research have deeply changed the way researchers select the most appropriate 'pre-clinical model'. The absence of relevant animal models for many human diseases, as well as the inaccurate prognosis coming from 'conventional' pre-clinical models, are among the major reasons of the failures observed in clinical trials. This evidence has pushed several research groups to move more often from a classic cellular or animal modeling approach to an alternative and broader vision that includes the involvement of microfluidic-based technologies. The use of microfluidic devices offers several benefits including fast analysis times, high sensitivity and reproducibility, the ability to quantitate multiple chemical species, and the simulation of cellular response mimicking the closest human in vivo milieu. Therefore, they represent a useful way to study drug-organ interactions and related safety and toxicity, and to model organ development and various pathologies 'in a dish'. The present review will address the applicability of microfluidic-based technologies in different systems (2D and 3D). We will focus our attention on applications of microchip electrophoresis (ME) to biological and toxicological studies as well as in drug discovery and development processes. These include high-throughput single-cell gene expression profiling, simultaneous determination of antioxidants and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, DNA analysis, and sensitive determination of neurotransmitters in biological fluids. We will discuss new data obtained by ME coupled to laser-induced fluorescence (ME-LIF) and electrochemical detection (ME-EC) regarding the production and degradation of nitric oxide, a fundamental signaling molecule regulating virtually every critical cellular function. Finally, the integration of microfluidics with recent innovative technologies-such as organoids, organ-on-chip, and 3D printing-for the design of new in vitro experimental devices will be presented with a specific attention to drug development applications. This 'composite' review highlights the potential impact of 2D and 3D microfluidic systems as a fast, inexpensive, and highly sensitive tool for high-throughput drug screening and preclinical toxicological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Caruso
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina (EN), Italy; (M.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Nicolò Musso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (N.M.); (G.L.)
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina (EN), Italy; (M.G.); (F.C.)
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (M.G.)
| | - Angelita Costantino
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (M.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Lazzarino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (N.M.); (G.L.)
| | - Fabio Tascedda
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Massimo Gulisano
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (M.G.)
- Molecular Preclinical and Translational Imaging Research Centre-IMPRonTE, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Interuniversity Consortium for Biotechnology, Area di Ricerca, Padriciano, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Susan M. Lunte
- Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047-1620, USA
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina (EN), Italy; (M.G.); (F.C.)
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy; (A.C.); (M.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ozyigit II. Gene transfer to plants by electroporation: methods and applications. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:3195-3210. [PMID: 32242300 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05343-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Developing gene transfer technologies enables the genetic manipulation of the living organisms more efficiently. The methods used for gene transfer fall into two main categories; natural and artificial transformation. The natural methods include the conjugation, transposition, bacterial transformation as well as phage and retroviral transductions, contain the physical methods whereas the artificial methods can physically alter and transfer genes from one to another organisms' cell using, for instance, biolistic transformation, micro- and macroinjection, and protoplast fusion etc. The artificial gene transformation can also be conducted through chemical methods which include calcium phosphate-mediated, polyethylene glycol-mediated, DEAE-Dextran, and liposome-mediated transfers. Electrical methods are also artificial ways to transfer genes that can be done by electroporation and electrofusion. Comparatively, among all the above-mentioned methods, electroporation is being widely used owing to its high efficiency and broader applicability. Electroporation is an electrical transformation method by which transient electropores are produced in the cell membranes. Based on the applications, process can be either reversible where electropores in membrane are resealable and cells preserve the vitality or irreversible where membrane is not able to reseal, and cell eventually dies. This problem can be minimized by developing numerical models to iteratively optimize the field homogeneity considering the cell size, shape, number, and electrode positions supplemented by real-time measurements. In modern biotechnology, numerical methods have been used in electrotransformation, electroporation-based inactivation, electroextraction, and electroporative biomass drying. Moreover, current applications of electroporation also point to some other uncovered potentials for various exploitations in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Ilker Ozyigit
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Marmara University, Goztepe, 34722, Istanbul, Turkey. .,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, 720038, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
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.
Collapse
|
7
|
Alliaudi C, Galliano I, Montanari P, Pavan M, Calvi C, Daprà V, Bergallo M. Human endogenous retroviruses expressional level is influenced by gender. MINERVA BIOTECNOL 2019. [DOI: 10.23736/s1120-4826.19.02517-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
8
|
Tartaglione AM, Cipriani C, Chiarotti F, Perrone B, Balestrieri E, Matteucci C, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P, Calamandrei G, Ricceri L. Early Behavioral Alterations and Increased Expression of Endogenous Retroviruses Are Inherited Across Generations in Mice Prenatally Exposed to Valproic Acid. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:3736-3750. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1328-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|