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The Immunological Conundrum of Endogenous Retroelements
1Retroviral Immunology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom;
Annual Review of Immunology
|January 11, 2023
Summary
Endogenous retroelements, though integrated into host DNA, trigger immune responses that can cause disease or aid immunity. Understanding these interactions is key to immune system function and disease research.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Genetics
Background:
- The immune system must differentiate self from non-self, a challenge with integrated retroviruses.
- Endogenous retroelements (EREs) are viral sequences integrated into host genomes.
- Their seamless integration poses a challenge for immune recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review immune responses to endogenous retroviruses and retroelements.
- To examine targets of immune recognition and consequences for host health.
- To explore the role of EREs in immune system development and function.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of innate and adaptive immune responses to EREs.
- Analysis of immune recognition targets.
- Examination of consequences for host health and disease.
Main Results:
- EREs possess significant immunogenicity, contrary to expectations.
- Compromised epigenetic repression of EREs exacerbates autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
- Regulated immune responses to EREs are crucial for immune development, cancer immunosurveillance, and infection resistance.
Conclusions:
- Immune interactions with EREs are fundamental to immune system function.
- Understanding these interactions deepens insights into immune-mediated diseases.
- Targeting ERE-immune interactions may offer therapeutic strategies.
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