Human endogenous retroviral elements and autoimmunity: data and concepts.
The human genome contains a complex variety of inherited endogenous retroviral sequences (ERSs), several of which are transcriptionally active and contain open reading frames. Aberrant expression of ERSs and generation of antibodies to ERS-encoded proteins have recently been revealed in autoimmune disorders. Involvement of ERSs could explain both the familial aggregation and the detection of antiretroviral antibodies in autoimmune diseases.
Perl
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A
Dept of Medicine, State University of New York, Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210.
Banki
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K
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000235:genetics*; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics*