Expression of HERV Genes as Possible Biomarker and Target in Neurodegenerative Diseases

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Antonina DoleiCaterina Serra

Abstract

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genetic parasites, in-between genetics and environment. Few HERVs retain some coding capability. Sometimes, the host has the advantage of some HERV genes; conversely, HERVs may contribute to pathogenesis. The expression of HERVs depends on several factors, and is regulated epigenetically by stimuli such as inflammation, viral and microbial infections, etc. Increased expression of HERVs occurs in physiological and pathological conditions, in one or more body sites. Several diseases have been attributed to one or more HERVs, particularly neurological diseases. The key problem is to differentiate the expression of a HERV as cause or effect of a disease. To be used as a biomarker, a correlation between the expression of a certain HERV and the disease onset and/or behavior must be found. The greater challenge is to establish a pathogenic role. The criteria defining causal connections between HERVs and diseases include the development of animal models, and disease modulation in humans, by anti-HERV therapeutic antibody. So far, statistically significant correlations between HERVs and diseases have been achieved for HERV-W and multiple sclerosis; disease reproduction in transgenic animals was ...Continue Reading

References

Jul 18, 2000·Journal of Medical Virology·W D AndrewsJ A Garson
Jun 26, 2001·Genome Biology·D J Griffiths
Sep 26, 2001·Neurology·A MoulignierW Rozenbaum
Jun 13, 2006·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·S SotgiuA Dolei
Oct 28, 2006·AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses·Rafael Contreras-GalindoYasuhiro Yamamura
Feb 1, 2007·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·S SotgiuA Dolei
Feb 27, 2008·Journal of Neurovirology·Giuseppe MameliAntonina Dolei
Mar 27, 2009·Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis : Official Publication of the World Federation of Neurology Research Group on Motor Neuron Diseases·Young Joo KimJohn Ravits
Jan 1, 2006·Expert Review of Clinical Immunology·Antonina Dolei
Aug 6, 2010·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·S SotgiuA Dolei
Aug 11, 2010·Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta·Joseph M AntonyChristopher Power
Nov 16, 2010·AIDS·Paul ShapshakJohn T Sinnott
Jan 18, 2012·Retrovirology·Antoinette C van der Kuyl
Mar 30, 2012·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·Hervé PerronHans-Peter Hartung
Sep 8, 2012·Science·Elizabeth Pennisi
May 28, 2013·Antiviral Research·Tariq Alfahad, Avindra Nath
Jul 19, 2013·BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology·George R YoungGeorge Kassiotis
Jul 24, 2013·Multiple Sclerosis : Clinical and Laboratory Research·Giannina ArruGiuseppe Mameli
Jun 4, 2014·International Journal of Cancer. Journal International Du Cancer·Ronan F DowneySharon A Glynn
Jul 6, 2015·Journal of Infection in Developing Countries·Antonina DoleiCaterina Serra

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 16, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Marta SeratiMassimiliano Buoli

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
transgenic
flow cytometry
PCR

Clinical Trials Mentioned

NCT02782858

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Amyloid Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive nervous system disease associated with the death of neurons that control voluntary muscles. Discover the latest research on ALS here.

ALS: Pathogenic Mechanisms

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by muscle weakness. Here is the latest research investigating pathogenic mechanisms that underlie this genetically heterogeneous disorder.