Brains and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients hyperexpress MS-associated retrovirus/HERV-W endogenous retrovirus, but not Human herpesvirus 6

• DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.81890-0
• Publication Date: 2006-12-15T01:42:25Z
• Authors: Giuseppe Mameli; Vito Astone; Giannina Arru; Silvia Marconi; Laura Lovato; Caterina Serra; Stefano Sotgiu; Bruno Bonetti; Antonina Dolei
• Keywords: Endogenous retrovirus; Human herpesvirus 6

Multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated retrovirus (MSRV)/HERV-W (human endogenous W) and Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) are the two most studied (and discussed) viruses as environmental co-factors that trigger MS immunopathological phenomena. Autopsied brain tissues from patients controls peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analysed. Quantitative RT-PCR PCR with primers specific for MSRV/HERV-W env pol HHV-6 U94/ rep DNA-pol used to determine virus copy numbers. Brain sections immunostained HERV-W env-specific monoclonal antibody detect viral protein. All brains expressed genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated cerebral MSRV/HERV-W-related sequences, plasmatic MSRV, ERVWE1 (syncytin) related closely. Accumulation of MSRV/HERV-W-specific RNAs was significantly greater in than ( P =0.014 vs healthy controls; =0.006 pathological controls). By immunohistochemistry, no protein detected control brains, whereas it upregulated within plaques correlated extent active demyelination inflammation. No HHV-6-specific patients; one had latent replicating HHV-6. At PBMC level, all at higher numbers did =0.00003). Similar presence found individuals; only patient This report, first study both HHV-6, indicates is actively human activated strongly patients, whilst there significant differences between these presence/replication or level.