Interplay between endogenous and exogenous human retroviruses

Eleni Kyriakou; Gkikas Magiorkinis

doi:10.1016/j.tim.2023.03.008

Interplay between endogenous and exogenous human retroviruses

Trends Microbiol. 2023 Sep;31(9):933-946. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.03.008. Epub 2023 Apr 4.

Authors

Eleni Kyriakou¹, Gkikas Magiorkinis²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
² Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: gmagi@med.uoa.gr.

PMID: 37019721
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.03.008

Abstract

In humans, retroviruses thrive more as symbionts than as parasites. Apart from the only two modern exogenous human retroviruses (human T-cell lymphotropic and immunodeficiency viruses; HTLV and HIV, respectively), ~8% of the human genome is occupied by ancient retroviral DNA [human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs)]. Here, we review the recent discoveries about the interactions between the two groups, the impact of infection by exogenous retroviruses on the expression of HERVs, the effect of HERVs on the pathogenicity of HIV and HTLV and on the severity of the diseases caused by them, and the antiviral protection that HERVs can allegedly provide to the host. Tracing the crosstalk between contemporary retroviruses and their endogenized ancestors will provide better understanding of the retroviral world.

Keywords: HERV expression; endogenous retroviruses; human T-lymphotropic virus; human immunodeficiency virus.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Endogenous Retroviruses* / genetics
HIV Infections*
Humans