title: The virome in mammalian physiology and disease.
abstract: The virome contains the most abundant and fastest mutating genetic elements on Earth. The mammalian virome is constituted of viruses that infect host cells, virus-derived elements in our chromosomes, and viruses that infect the broad array of other types of organisms that inhabit us. Virome interactions with the host cannot be encompassed by a monotheistic view of viruses as pathogens. Instead, the genetic and transcriptional identity of mammals is defined in part by our coevolved virome, a concept with profound implications for understanding health and disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8118, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address: virgin@wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Herbert W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Virgin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000821:virology; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D064307:Microbiota; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism