Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Detection of the Genome and Transcripts of a Persistent DNA Virus in Neuronal Tissues by Fluorescent In situ Hybridization Combined with Immunostaining
13:22

Detection of the Genome and Transcripts of a Persistent DNA Virus in Neuronal Tissues by Fluorescent In situ Hybridization Combined with Immunostaining

Published on: January 23, 2014

17.9K

Activation of MSRV-type endogenous retroviruses during infectious mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr virus latency: the

Giuseppe Mameli1, Giordano Madeddu, Alessandra Mei

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.

Plos One
|November 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection, particularly infectious mononucleosis (IM), correlates with Human Endogenous Retrovirus W (HERV-W) activation. This activation may be the missing link connecting EBV to multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Virology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unclear, with environmental factors and genetic predisposition implicated.
  • Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERV-W) are proposed co-factors in MS pathogenesis.
  • Previous research noted links between EBV infection (infectious mononucleosis, IM) and high anti-EBNA IgG titers with MS, alongside continuous HERV-W expression in MS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate in vivo activation of HERV-W/MSRV in young adults with infectious mononucleosis (IM) symptoms.
  • To determine the correlation between EBV infection status and HERV-W/MSRV activation.
  • To explore the potential role of HERV-W/MSRV activation as a link between EBV and MS.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of HERV-W/MSRV transcripts and proteins in blood mononuclear cells of IM patients and healthy controls.
  • Stratification of healthy controls based on EBV infection status (EBV-negative, latent EBV infection with varying anti-EBNA-1 IgG titers).
  • Flow cytometry to assess cell surface HERV-Wenv protein expression.

Main Results:

  • Significant activation of HERV-W/MSRV was observed in IM patients, with a 2Log10 increase in MSRV-type env mRNA.
  • A direct correlation between prior EBV infection (indicated by anti-EBNA-1 IgG titers) and MSRV mRNA accumulation was found in healthy controls.
  • Increased percentages of cells expressing surface HERV-Wenv protein were detected in IM patients and individuals with past EBV infection.

Conclusions:

  • HERV-W/MSRV activation occurs in vivo during infectious mononucleosis and correlates with EBV infection history.
  • These findings suggest HERV-W/MSRV activation serves as a potential link between EBV and the development of multiple sclerosis.
  • The study opens new avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting HERV-W in MS.

More Related Videos

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

2.3K
An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection09:43

An Efficient and Simple Method to Establish NK and T Cell Lines from Patients with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Published on: March 30, 2018

8.5K

Related Concept Videos

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
31
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

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...
5.2K
Retroviruses02:33

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’...
12.2K
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
108
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
43.1K
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes01:26

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...
1.2K