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BIBTEX RIS

Human endogenous retroviruses and the inflammatory response: A vicious circle associated with health and illness

2022; Frontiers Media; Volume: 13; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3389/fimmu.2022.1057791

1664-3224

Sara Coelho Rangel, Michelly Damasceno da Silva, Amanda Lopes da Silva, Juliana de Melo Batista dos Santos, Lucas Melo Neves, Ana Pedrosa, Fernanda Rodrigues Monteiro, Caio dos Santos Trettel, Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado, Marcelo P. Barros, André Luís Lacerda Bachi, Camila Malta Romano, Luiz Henrique da Silva Nali,

vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches

Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) are derived from ancient exogenous retroviral infections that have infected our ancestors' germline cells, underwent endogenization process, and were passed throughout the generations by retrotransposition and hereditary transmission. HERVs comprise 8% of the human genome and are critical for several physiological activities. Yet, HERVs reactivation is involved in pathological process as cancer and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the multiple aspects of HERVs' role within the human genome, as well as virological and molecular aspects, and their fusogenic property. We also discuss possibilities of how the HERVs are possibly transactivated and participate in modulating the inflammatory response in health conditions. An update on their role in several autoimmune, inflammatory, and aging-related diseases is also presented.