Molecular characterization of HERV-H variants associated with multiple sclerosis.
Our objective was to characterize retroviral sequences by RT-PCR with gag and env primers on RNA from RT-positive retroviral particles produced by multiple sclerosis (MS) derived B-lymphoblastoid cell lines. Sequence variants with high homology to the potentially functional subgroup RGH of the human endogenous retrovirus RTVL-H/HERV-H family were found. The same sequences were also specifically found in the particulate fraction of a series of MS patient plasma samples and were absent in controls. South-Western blots demonstrate the presence of a nucleic acid binding protein, corresponding in size and function to the nucleocapsid protein, Gag NC, of other retroviruses. We also present indications for transmission of the retrovirus to PHA-stimulated lymphocytes from healthy individuals.
Christensen
T
T
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Dissing Sørensen
P
P
Riemann
H
H
Hansen
H J
HJ
Munch
M
M
Haahr
S
S
Møller-Larsen
A
A
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000821:virology*; D012313:RNA; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D015683:Gene Products, gag; C034477:RNA primers; D012313:RNA