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Endogenous retroviral sequences in the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune disease
M Walchner1, C Leib-Mösch, G Messer
1Department of Dermatology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany.
Objectives:
To update information on endogenous retroviral sequences and discuss their role in systemic autoimmune disease.
Data Sources:
Articles retrieved after MEDLINE search and personal communications and cooperation with the Institute of Virology.
Data Synthesis:
There are 2 modes of pathogenetic mechanisms through which endogenous retroviral sequences could cause systemic autoimmune disease: expression of endogenous retroviral gene products sharing antigenic determinants with cellular proteins; and activation or destruction of cellular genes as a consequence of insertional mutagenesis. Both mechanisms have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in animal models.
Conclusion:
Investigations on endogenous retroviral sequences in humans may offer new insights into the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease.