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Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Type 1 Diabetes
Sandrine Levet1, B Charvet2, A Bertin3
1GeNeuro Innovation, 60 avenue Rockefeller, 69008, Lyon, France. sl@geneuro.com.
Current Diabetes Reports
|November 23, 2019
Summary
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are implicated in type 1 diabetes (T1D) development. HERV-W envelope protein shows toxicity to pancreatic cells, suggesting HERVs as potential therapeutic targets for T1D.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- The precise causes of type 1 diabetes (T1D) remain unclear, despite suspected environmental triggers.
- Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), typically dormant genetic sequences, are increasingly studied for their role in autoimmune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence linking human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) to the onset and progression of type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on HERVs and T1D.
- Analysis of studies investigating HERV-W envelope protein (HERV-W-Env) in T1D pancreatic tissues.
Main Results:
- HERV-W-Env detected in T1D pancreata exhibits pro-inflammatory effects and beta-cell toxicity.
- Environmental viruses may activate dormant HERV genes, potentially explaining T1D genetic susceptibility.
- Activated HERVs possess pathogenic properties, indicating their role in T1D pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- HERVs represent a potential link between genetic predisposition and environmental factors in T1D.
- HERV elements are emerging as significant contributors to T1D etiology.
- Targeting HERVs offers a promising avenue for novel T1D therapies.
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