TY - JOUR
T1 - Human endogenous retroviruses
T2 - Transposable elements with potential?
AU - Nelson, P. N.
AU - Hooley, P.
AU - Roden, D.
AU - Ejtehadi, H. Davari
AU - Rylance, P.
AU - Warren, P.
AU - Martin, J.
AU - Murray, P. G.
PY - 2004/10
Y1 - 2004/10
N2 - Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are a significant component of a wider family of retroelements that constitute part of the human genome. These viruses, perhaps representative of previous exogenous retroviral infection, have been integrated and passed through successive generations within the germ line. The retention of HERVs and isolated elements, such as long-terminal repeats, could have the potential to harm. In this review we describe HERVs within the context of the family of known transposable elements and survey these viruses in terms of superantigens and molecular mimics. It is entirely possible that these mechanisms provide the potential for undesired immune responses.
AB - Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are a significant component of a wider family of retroelements that constitute part of the human genome. These viruses, perhaps representative of previous exogenous retroviral infection, have been integrated and passed through successive generations within the germ line. The retention of HERVs and isolated elements, such as long-terminal repeats, could have the potential to harm. In this review we describe HERVs within the context of the family of known transposable elements and survey these viruses in terms of superantigens and molecular mimics. It is entirely possible that these mechanisms provide the potential for undesired immune responses.
KW - Autoimmunity
KW - Human endogenous retroviruses
KW - Molecular mimicry
KW - Superantigens
KW - Transposable elements
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=4644291462&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2004.02592.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2004.02592.x
M3 - Review article
C2 - 15373898
AN - SCOPUS:4644291462
SN - 0009-9104
VL - 138
SP - 1
EP - 9
JO - Clinical and Experimental Immunology
JF - Clinical and Experimental Immunology
IS - 1
ER -