TY - JOUR
T1 - Human endogenous retroviruses: Transposable elements with potential?
AU - Nelson, PN
AU - Hooley, P
AU - Roden, D
AU - Davari, EH
AU - Rylance, Paul
AU - Warren, P
AU - Martin, J
AU - Murray, Paul
PY - 2004/1/1
Y1 - 2004/1/1
N2 - Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are a significant component of a wider family of retroelements that constitute part of the human genome. These viruses, perhaps representative of previous exogenous retroviral infection, have been integrated and passed through successive generations within the germ line. The retention of HERVs and isolated elements, such as long-terminal repeats, could have the potential to harm. In this review we describe HERVs within the context of the family of known transposable elements and survey these viruses in terms of superantigens and molecular mimics. It is entirely possible that these mechanisms provide the potential for undesired immune responses.
AB - Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are a significant component of a wider family of retroelements that constitute part of the human genome. These viruses, perhaps representative of previous exogenous retroviral infection, have been integrated and passed through successive generations within the germ line. The retention of HERVs and isolated elements, such as long-terminal repeats, could have the potential to harm. In this review we describe HERVs within the context of the family of known transposable elements and survey these viruses in terms of superantigens and molecular mimics. It is entirely possible that these mechanisms provide the potential for undesired immune responses.
KW - molecular mimicry
KW - human endogenous retroviruses
KW - transposable elements
KW - superantigens
KW - autoimmunity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=4644291462&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2004.02592.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2004.02592.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 15373898
SN - 1365-2249
VL - 138
SP - 1
EP - 9
JO - Clinical & Experimental Immunology
JF - Clinical & Experimental Immunology
ER -