Antibody to Human Endogenous Retrovirus Peptide in Urine of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Positive Patients

Abstract

Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-like sequences are normal inherited elements that constitute several hundredths of the human genome. The expression of genes located within these elements can occur as a consequence of several different events, including persistent inflammation or genotoxic events. Antibodies to endogenous retroviral gene products have been found in a number of infectious, chronic, and malignant diseases, suggesting a role in disease initiation and progression. We studied human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients for evidence of urine antibody to a HERV peptide and investigated correlates with clinical and laboratory parameters. Forty-three HIV-1-infected patients in documented asymptomatic, symptomatic, or AIDS stages of disease and 21 age- and gender-matched, uninfected controls were tested for antibody to HERV-related peptide 4.1. Urine specimens were examined in a blinded fashion with the Calypte Biomedical Corp. experimental enzyme immunoassay for antibody to peptide 4.1. Results were compared with demographic data, medical history, clinical state of disease, and results of other laboratory tests. Thirty-six percent of the asymptomatic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] category A) and 81.3% of both the symptomatic (CDC category B) and AIDS (CDC category C) patients were positive for antibody to HERV-related peptide 4.1. None of the controls were positive. In this study, antibodies to HERV-related peptide 4.1 were found more frequently in patients with advanced stages (categories B and C) of HIV-1 disease than in those patients with an earlier stage (category A) of HIV disease. In HIV patients, severe immunosuppression, defined as having had at least one opportunistic infection, correlated with the expression of antibody to a HERV-related peptide.

A new endogenous retroviral sequence is expressed in skin of patients with psoriasis

“…It could be suggested that HPV infections might participate in endogenous retroviral reactivation through either a trans ‐complementation or a trans ‐activation process. In addition, RNA viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 can reactivate expression of HERVs and promote an antibody response to them 36,37 . Such mechanisms could explain the occurrence and the severity of HIV‐associated psoriasis.…”

HIV infection and HERV expression: a review

“…Testing urine specimens of HIV-1 infected individuals and healthy controls for antibodies against a peptide derived from the gammaretrovirus HERV-E Env protein showed that 36.4% and 81.3% of patients in the CDC AIDS categories A and B/C respectively, contained specific antibodies, while none of the HIV-negative controls tested positive [ 77 ]. Fourteen peptides derived from various endogenous retroviruses were used to search for IgM and IgG antibodies in HIV-1 infected and uninfected immunosuppressed persons by Lawoko et al .…”

HERV‐K(HML‐2), a seemingly silent subtenant – but still waters run deep

“…Another approach to investigating interactions between HERV and HIV uses anti-HERV immune responses in HIV-1-infected individuals as a marker of HERV activation. Early reports found no differences between HIV-1-infected patients and healthy control groups with regard to anti-HERV Env or Gag antibodies (147,194,195), although others reported clear evidence for anti-HERV antibodies (187,(196)(197)(198). These conflicting results may have been due to the use of different antigens for screening or to the genetic backgrounds of the respective cohorts.…”