Article Publish Status: FREE
Abstract Title:

Human endogenous retroviruses: transposable elements with potential?

Abstract Source:

Clin Exp Immunol. 2004 Oct ;138(1):1-9. PMID: 15373898

Abstract Author(s):

P N Nelson, P Hooley, D Roden, H Davari Ejtehadi, P Rylance, P Warren, J Martin, P G Murray,

Article Affiliation:

Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton, UK. [email protected]

Abstract:

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.

Study Type : Review
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