Endogenous retroviral genes, Herpesviruses and gender in Multiple Sclerosis

J Neurol Sci. 2009 Nov 15;286(1-2):65-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2009.04.034. Epub 2009 May 17.

Abstract

Unexpected findings on endogenous retroviral elements expressed in cells from patients with Multiple Sclerosis appear to open a new avenue of research, after years of research dedicated to the understanding of their biological significance in human health and disease. Human endogenous retroviral family W (HERV-W) RNA present in circulating viral particles (Multiple Sclerosis associated RetroViral element, MSRV) has been associated with the evolution and prognosis of Multiple Sclerosis. HERV-W elements encode a powerful immunopathogenic envelope protein (ENV) that activates a pro-inflammatory and autoimmune cascade through interaction with Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) on antigen-presenting cells, and triggers superantigen-like dysregulation of T-lymphocytes. HERV-W/ENV antigen has further been shown to be an upstream inducer of immunopathogenicity like that in MS and has repeatedly been detected in association with MS lesions in post-mortem brain studies. ENV protein now represents a novel target in MS, in our ongoing development of a neutralising therapeutic antibody. We here review the pieces of a puzzle, which now offer a consistent picture for Multiple Sclerosis aetiopathogenesis. Interestingly, at the gene-environment interface, this picture also includes gender-related specificities through the potential interplay with endogenous retrovirus type W copies present on the X chromosome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • Chromosomes, Human, X
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / genetics*
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / immunology
  • Endogenous Retroviruses / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Gene Products, env / immunology
  • Gene Products, env / metabolism
  • Herpesviridae / genetics
  • Herpesviridae / immunology
  • Herpesviridae / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / etiology
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / genetics
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / virology
  • Sex Factors
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Gene Products, env
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4