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Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
Published on: November 2, 2013
Crosstalk between human endogenous retroviruses and exogenous viruses
Edoardo Pizzioli1, Antonella Minutolo2, Emanuela Balestrieri2
1CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, France.
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), ancient viral remnants in our DNA, can be reactivated by infections like SARS-CoV-2. This reactivation may contribute to disease, highlighting a potential link between external viruses and internal genetic elements.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient retroviral sequences integrated into the human genome.
- These sequences are typically silenced through evolutionary processes.
- Aberrant HERV expression is implicated in various pathological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for exogenous viral infections to induce the expression of HERV RNAs and proteins.
- To explore the pathological implications of HERV reactivation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of HERV expression following infection with specific exogenous viruses.
- Detection of HERV RNAs and proteins.
Main Results:
- Infection with certain exogenous viruses, including herpesviruses, HIV-1, and SARS-CoV-2, can lead to the de-repression of HERVs.
- This de-repression results in the expression of HERV RNAs and proteins.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous viral infections can trigger the expression of endogenous retroviruses.
- HERV reactivation represents a potential mechanism linking viral infections to disease pathogenesis.
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