CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Subcell Biochem. 2023;106:403-439. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-40086-5_15.
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), which are conserved sequences of ancient retroviruses, are widely distributed in the human genome. Although most HERVs have been rendered inactive by evolution, some have continued to exhibit important cytological functions. HERVs in the human genome perform dual functions: on the one hand, they are involved in important physiological processes such as placental development and immune regulation; on the other hand, their aberrant expression is closely associated with the pathological processes of several diseases, such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. HERVs can also regulate a variety of host cellular functions, including the expression of protein-coding genes and regulatory elements that have evolved from HERVs. Here, we present recent research on the roles of HERVs in viral infections and cancers, including the dysregulation of HERVs in various viral infections, HERV-induced epigenetic modifications of histones (such as methylation and acetylation), and the potential mechanisms of HERV-mediated antiviral immunity. We also describe therapies to improve the efficacy of vaccines and medications either by directly or indirectly targeting HERVs, depending on the HERV.
人类内源性逆转录病毒（HERV）是古老逆转录病毒的保守序列，广泛分布于人类基因组中。虽然大多数 HERV 已被进化所淘汰，但仍有一些 HERV 继续发挥重要的细胞学功能。人类基因组中的 HERV 具有双重功能：一方面，它们参与了重要的生理过程，如胎盘发育和免疫调节；另一方面，它们的异常表达与多种疾病的病理过程密切相关，如癌症、自身免疫性疾病和病毒感染。HERV 还可以调节多种宿主细胞功能，包括从 HERV 进化而来的蛋白编码基因和调控元件的表达。在这里，我们介绍了 HERV 在病毒感染和癌症中的作用的最新研究，包括 HERV 在各种病毒感染中的失调、HERV 诱导的组蛋白表观遗传修饰（如甲基化和乙酰化），以及 HERV 介导的抗病毒免疫的潜在机制。我们还描述了基于 HERV 的治疗方法，这些方法可以通过直接或间接靶向 HERV 来提高疫苗和药物的疗效。
