The distribution of the endogenous retroviruses HERV-K113 and HERV-K115 in health and disease.
The human endogenous retroviruses HERV-K113 and HERV-K115 are full-length proviruses but unusual in being found in only a proportion of the population. Here, we study the geographic distribution of these HERVs and their prevalence in autoimmune disease. The frequency of HERV-K113 and HERV-K115 in 174 individuals from Africa was 21.8 and 34.1%, respectively, compared to 4.16 and 1% in 96 people in the United Kingdom (p < 0.001). Prevalence in Yemen (n = 56) was 8 and 7.14% and in Papua New Guinea (n = 54) 0% for both. In the United Kingdom, HERV-K113 was found in 15.6% of 96 Sjögren's syndrome patients (p < 0.01) and 11.9% of 109 multiple sclerosis patients (p < 0.05). No increase in prevalence in either disease was seen with HERV-K115. These data suggest that both viruses are recently integrated and/or under positive evolutionary selection pressure. HERV-K113 may be a genetic risk factor for some types of autoimmunity.
Moyes
David L
DL
Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Imperial College London, 1 Aspenlea Road, London W6 8LH, UK. d.moyes@imperial.ac.uk
Martin
Alex
A
Sawcer
Stephen
S
Temperton
Nigel
N
Worthington
Jane
J
Griffiths
David J
DJ
Venables
Patrick J
PJ
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000821:virology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors