Role of DNA methylation in transcription of human endogenous retrovirus in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
We recently reported that transcription of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) clone 4-1-like sequences is increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We therefore investigated the role of DNA methylation in the transcription of this HERV.


METHODS
The effect of a demethylating agent, 5-aza-deoxycytidine (5-aza C), on the transcription of HERV clone 4-1 in healthy individuals and patients with SLE was examined using reverse transcriptase-PCR and real-time quantitative PCR.


RESULTS
5-aza C increased clone 4-1-like messenger RNA in healthy controls, but not in patients with SLE.


CONCLUSIONS
Defects of methylation may contribute to the transcription of HERV in patients with SLE and this may be related to the pathogenesis of SLE.
Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo Univeristy School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Makiko
M
Okada
Hitoshi
H
Ogasawara
Hiroshi
H
Kaneko
Takashi
T
Hishikawa
Iwao
I
Sekigawa
Hiroshi
H
Hashimoto
Naoki
N
Maruyama
Yutaro
Y
Kaneko
Naoki
N
Yamamoto
D000328:Adult; D001374:Azacitidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D000077209:Decitabine; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005260:Female; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D017931:DNA Primers; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000077209:Decitabine; D001374:Azacitidine