Human endogenous retroviruses: transposable elements with potential?
Nelson, Paul N. Hooley, Paul Roden, Denise A. Ejtehadi, H. Davari Rylance, Paul Warren, Phil Martin, Jan H. Murray, Paul G.
Nelson, Paul N.
Hooley, Paul
Roden, Denise A.
Ejtehadi, H. Davari
Rylance, Paul
Warren, Phil
Martin, Jan H.
Murray, Paul G.
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Epub Date
Issue Date
2004
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Abstract
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.
Citation
Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 138(1): 1-9
Publisher
Research Unit
PubMed ID
15373898
PubMed Central ID
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Journal article
Language
en
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Series/Report no.
ISSN
0009-9104