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

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Gabriele Ibba¹  Antonina Dolei¹  Claudia Piu¹  Caterina Serra¹ 

[1] Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43B, 07100 Sassari, Italy;

关键词: HERV human endogenous retroviruses;    HERV-Wenv;    HERV-Kenv;    multiple sclerosis;    amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;    neuroAIDS;    neurodegeneration;    TDP-43;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms20153706

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

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 achieved for HERV-W and multiple sclerosis, and for HERV-K and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clinical trials for both diseases are in progress.

【 授权许可】

Unknown