Molecular mimicry and immunomodulation by the HRES-1 endogenous retrovirus in SLE

Abstract

Genetic and environmental factors are believed to influence development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Endogenous retroviruses (ERV) correspond to the integrated proviral form of infectious retroviruses, which are trapped within the genome due to mutations. ERV represent a key molecular link between the host genome and infectious viral particles. ERV-encoded proteins are recognized by antiviral immune responses and become targets of autoreactivity. Alternatively, ERV protein may influence cellular processes and the life cycle of infectious viruses. As examples, the HRES-1 human ERV encodes a 28-kDa nuclear autoantigen and a 24-kDa small GTP-ase, termed HRES-1/Rab4. HRES-1/p28 is a nuclear autoantigen recognized by crossreactive antiviral antibodies, while HRES-1/Rab4 regulates surface expression of CD4 and the transferrin receptor (TFR) through endosome recycling. Expression of HRES-1/Rab4 is induced by the tat gene of HIV-1, which in turn down-regulates expression of CD4 and susceptibility to reinfection by HIV-1. CD4 and the TFR play essential roles in formation of the immunological synapse (IS) during normal T-cell activation by a cognate MHC class II peptide complex. The key intracellular transducer of T-cell activation, Lck, is brought to the IS via binding to CD4. T-cell receptorζ (TCRζ) chain binds to the TFR. Abnormal T-cell responses in SLE have been associated with reduced lck and TCRζ chain levels. HRES-1 is centrally located on chromosome 1 at q42 relative to lupus-linked microsatellite markers and polymorphic HRES-1 alleles have been linked to the development of SLE. 1q42 is one of the three most common fragile sites in the human genome, and is inducible by DNA demethylation, a known mechanism of retroviral gene activation. Molecular mimicry and immunomodulation by a ERV, such as HRES-1, may contribute to self-reactivity and abnormal Tand B-cell functions in SLE. (Table I). HERVs are commonly designated as HERV followed by a single letter amino acid code corresponding to a tRNA. The 3′ terminus of tRNA is predicted to initiate reverse transcription by annealing to an 18 nucleotide long primer-binding site (PBS) at the 5′ LTR. While expression of murine ERV can lead to production of infectious virus and cause viremia, no production of infectious virion has been documented by HERV. High copy number of most ERV families makes it difficult to distinguish which members of a group are expressed. Although, no single provirus with intact LTRs and uninterrupted gag, pol, and env ORFs has been identified, the HERV-K ERV, as a family, has been shown to encode gag HHS Public Access Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript the LTR region, is functionally analogous to the HIV-1 rev and HTLV-I/II rex proteins. HERV-K rev binds to both the nuclear export factor Crm1 and to a cis-acting viral RNA to activate nuclear export of unspliced RNAs [39]. Alternatively, the HERV-K LTR is also recognized by HIV-1 rev, suggesting a potential interaction between these exogeneous a...

Impact of sex disparities on the clinical manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…[27] Estrogen seems to play an important role in promoting autoimmune-related immune responses, including the production of cytokines such as Th2 cytokines (e.g., interleukin [IL]-4, IL-6, and IL-10), antibodies, and endogenous autoantigens such as Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV). [28–30] These HERV proteins seem to be related to autoantibody production, through molecular mimicry between HERV proteins and autoantigens such as ribonucleoprotein antigens, and are reported to be one of the pathogenic factors of SLE. [30] Moreover, estrogens bind to and activate estrogen receptors which modulate the expression of many genes.…”

“…[28–30] These HERV proteins seem to be related to autoantibody production, through molecular mimicry between HERV proteins and autoantigens such as ribonucleoprotein antigens, and are reported to be one of the pathogenic factors of SLE. [30] Moreover, estrogens bind to and activate estrogen receptors which modulate the expression of many genes. The abnormal expression of estrogen or its receptors may lead to immunological diseases, including SLE.…”

Expressing genes do not forget their LINEs: transposable elements and gene expression

“…HERV expression has also been associated with a number of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis (92), psoriasis (13) and systemic lupus erythematosus (91). The immunopathogenic response to the envelope protein from the HERV-W family can activate a pro-inflammatory reaction and autoimmune cascade (92), which may be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).…”

Pathogenic mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus

“…Endogenous retroviruses (ERV) have long been implicated in triggering autoimmunity through structural and functional molecular mimicry with viral proteins [7–10]. The notion that ERV contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmunity provides genetic linkages between the host genome and the environment.…”