Detection of T lymphocytes specific for human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) in patients with seminoma.
Human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) is distinctive among the retroviruses that comprise about 8% of the human genome in that multiple HERV-K proviruses encode full-length viral proteins, and many HERV-K proviruses formed during recent human evolution. HERV-K gag proteins are found in the cytoplasm of primary tumor cells of patients with seminoma. We identified HERV-K-specific T cells in patients with a past history of seminoma using the interferon-gamma ELISPOT assay and an MHC-HERV-K peptide-specific tetramer. A minority of apparently healthy subjects without evident germ cell tumors also made HERV-K-specific T cell responses. In summary, we detected T cell reactivity to HERV-K peptides in both past seminoma patients and a minority of apparently healthy controls.
Rakoff-Nahoum
Seth
S
J.D. Gladstone Institutes, Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, San Francisco, California 94158, USA.
Kuebler
Peter J
PJ
Heymann
Jonas J
JJ
E Sheehy
Megan
M
Ortiz
Gabriel M
GM
S Ogg
Graham
G
Barbour
Jason D
JD
Lenz
Jack
J
Steinfeld
Alan D
AD
Nixon
Douglas F
DF
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018239:Seminoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016662:Virus Integration
D000914:Antibodies, Viral