Identification of a HERV-K env surface peptide highly recognized in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients: a cross-sectional case–control study

• DOI: 10.1111/cei.12964
• Publication Date: 2017-03-22T09:50:36Z
• Authors: G Mameli; G L Erre; E Caggiu; S Mura; D Cossu; M Bo; M L Cadoni; A Piras; N Mundula; E Colombo; G Buscetta; G Passiu; L A Sechi
• Keywords: Pathogenesis

Endogenous retroviruses (HERV) are believed to be pathogenic in several autoimmune diseases. Among them, HERV-K viruses have been reported recently involved the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study we explored role humoral immune response against as a potential pathogenetic mechanism RA. Four different peptides from extracellular portion env protein (env-su19-37 , env-su109-126 env-su164-186 env-su209-226 ) were selected by bioinformatic analysis on basis their putative immunogenicity. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was then carried out quantify antibodies those blood samples 70 consecutive RA patients and 71 healthy controls (HC). Differences between two groups analysed using Mann-Whitney test. Potential correlations laboratory, clinical descriptors immunoglobulin (Ig)G levels bivariate regression analysis. Serum autoantibodies one four tested significantly higher than HC (19 versus 3%, P = 0·0025). Subgroup showed no association anti-HERV-K peptide clinical, serological clinimetric disease descriptors. our series reacted env-su19-37 comparison general population suggesting for HERV-K- related, secondary antigenic-driven Further studies needed confirm these results explore surface therapeutic target.