Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

Non-LTR Retrotransposons

As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...

LTR Retrotransposons

LTR Retrotransposons

LTR retrotransposons are class I transposable elements with long terminal repeats flanking an internal coding region. These elements are less abundant in mammals compared to other class I transposable elements. About 8 percent of human genomic DNA comprises LTR retrotransposons. Some of the common examples of LTR retrotransposons are Ty elements in yeast and Copia elements in Drosophila.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...

Retroviruses

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...

Exon Recombination

Exon Recombination

The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Tonic type I interferon signaling optimizes the antiviral function of plasmacytoid dendritic cells.

Nature immunology·2025

Same author

Structures of ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCC1 reveal the molecular basis of cyclic dinucleotide cGAMP export.

Immunity·2025

Same author

Regulation and Dynamics of IFN-β Expression Revealed with a Knockin Reporter Mouse.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)·2024

Same author

Sterile production of interferons in the thymus affects T cell repertoire selection.

Science immunology·2024

Same author

New frontiers in the cGAS-STING intracellular DNA-sensing pathway.

Immunity·2024

Same author

Early cellular mechanisms of type I interferon-driven susceptibility to tuberculosis.

Cell·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

Endogenous retroelements and autoimmune disease.

Daniel B Stetson¹

¹Department of Immunology, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. stetson@uw.edu

Current Opinion in Immunology

|October 16, 2012

Summary

Endogenous retroelements, ancient viruses in our DNA, can trigger autoimmune diseases by being mistakenly recognized as foreign. Understanding this link is key for diagnosing and treating conditions like lupus.

Area of Science:

Immunology
Genetics
Virology

Background:

Innate immune sensors detect foreign nucleic acids for antiviral defense.
Dysregulated detection of self-nucleic acids by these sensors can lead to autoimmune diseases.
Sources of self-nucleic acids include chromatin and ribonucleoproteins, targets in autoimmune diseases like lupus.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent data on the role of endogenous retroelements in autoimmune diseases.
To explore how these retroelements, comprising a significant portion of the human genome, contribute to autoimmunity.
To highlight the implications for diagnosing and treating autoimmune disorders.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent research findings.
Analysis of data implicating endogenous retroelements in autoimmune disease pathogenesis.

More Related Videos

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer

Published on: November 2, 2013

Quantification of Autoreactive Antibodies in Mice upon Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Quantification of Autoreactive Antibodies in Mice upon Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: December 1, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer

Published on: November 2, 2013

Quantification of Autoreactive Antibodies in Mice upon Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Quantification of Autoreactive Antibodies in Mice upon Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Published on: December 1, 2023

Discussion of mechanisms of nucleic acid sensing and metabolism.

Main Results:

Endogenous retroelements are identified as a significant source of self-nucleic acids that can trigger autoimmune responses.
The study emphasizes the potential pathologic role of these retroelements in autoimmune conditions.
Mechanisms of sensing and metabolizing retroelemental nucleic acids are crucial.

Conclusions:

Endogenous retroelements represent an important factor in the development of autoimmune diseases.
Understanding the sensing and metabolic pathways of retroelemental nucleic acids is critical.
This knowledge has significant implications for the future diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disorders.