%0 Journal Article
%T ERVK Polyprotein Processing and Reverse Transcriptase Expression in Human Cell Line Models of Neurological Disease
%A Mamneet Manghera
%A Jennifer Ferguson
%A Ren¨¦e Douville
%J Viruses
%P 320-332
%D 2015
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/v7010320
%X Enhanced expression of the reverse transcriptase (RT) protein encoded by human endogenous retrovirus-K (ERVK) is a promising biomarker for several inflammatory and neurological diseases. However, unlike RT enzymes encoded by exogenous retroviruses, little work has been done to identify ERVK RT isoforms, their expression patterns, and cellular localization. Using Western blot, we showcase the ERVK gag-pro-pol polyprotein processing leading to the production of several ERVK RT isoforms in human neuronal (ReNcell CX) and astrocytic (SVGA) models of neuroinflammatory disease. Since the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN¦Ã plays a key role in the pathology of several ERVK-associated neurological diseases, we sought to determine if IFN¦Ã can drive ERVK RT expression. IFN¦Ã signalling markedly enhanced ERVK polyprotein and RT expression in both human astrocytes and neurons. RT isoforms were expressed in a cell-type specific pattern and the RT-RNase H form was significantly increased with IFN¦Ã treatment. Fluorescent imaging revealed distinct cytoplasmic, perinuclear and nuclear ERVK RT staining patterns upon IFN¦Ã stimulation of astrocytes and neurons. These findings indicate that ERVK expression is inducible under inflammatory conditions such as IFN¦Ã exposure¡ªand thus, these newly established in vitro models may be useful in exploring ERVK biology in the context of neuroinflammatory disease.
%K endogenous retrovirus
%K reverse transcriptase
%K astrocyte
%K neuron
%K neurological disease
%K inflammation
%K IFN¦Ã
%U http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/7/1/320