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Multiple sclerosis-associated virus-related pol sequences found both in multiple sclerosis and healthy donors are

Jerzy Nowak1, Danuta Januszkiewicz, Monika Pernak

  • 1Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska, Poland. nowakjs@man.poznan.pl

Journal of Neurovirology
|February 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus (MSRV) pol sequences were frequently detected in the serum and lymphocytes of MS patients. These findings suggest a potential role for MSRV in the etiopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis involves genetic and environmental factors, with viral infections implicated.
  • Retroviruses are suspected contributors to autoimmune diseases like MS.
  • Multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus (MSRV) is a candidate for MS viral etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze MSRV pol sequences in patients with MS.
  • To compare MSRV presence in MS patients with control groups: myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, migraine, and healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

  • MSRV pol sequences were analyzed in serum RNA and peripheral blood lymphocyte DNA/RNA.
  • Detection utilized reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and PCR with specific primers.
  • Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to assess sequence copy number and genomic location.

Main Results:

  • MSRV pol sequences were found in serum RNA of 31/32 MS patients.
  • Sequences were detected in lymphocyte RNA of all MS patients and in lymphocyte DNA of all studied individuals.
  • Higher frequency of MSRV expression in lymphocytes and presence in serum of MS patients was observed compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • MSRV pol sequences are endogenous and widespread, present in DNA and transcribed into RNA across all groups studied.
  • More frequent expression in MS patient lymphocytes and serum suggests a potential role of MSRV in MS etiopathogenesis.

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