[Endogenous retroviruses in autoimmune diseases].
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and those related genes are thought to be originated from integration of infectious retroviruses to germ cells or evolved from transposable genetic elements. Some of them can make biological effects on activities of hosts, by promoting the expression of flanking genes or producing certain regulatory proteins. If those mechanisms occur on cells in immune networks, immunological dysregulation including autoimmunity will develop. ERVs can also produce proteins serving as auto-antigens, followed by autoimmune responses. In this article, studies up to date on ERVs of animals and humans are shortly reviewed, related to immunological disorders to autoimmune diseases, showing some examples.
Katsumata
K
K
Department of Pathology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine.
Yoshiki
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000276:immunology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D001324:Autoantigens