Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2019 | Multiple Sclerosis | Original Research
HERV-K and HERV-W transcriptional activity in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
Published in: Autoimmunity Highlights | Issue 1/2019
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Background
Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/MS) is an incapacitating chronic disease that dramatically compromise the life quality. The CFS/ME pathogenesis is multifactorial, and it is believed that immunological, metabolic and environmental factors play a role. It is well documented an increased activity of Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) from different families in autoimmune and neurological diseases, making these elements good candidates for biomarkers or even triggers for such diseases.
Methods
Here the expression of Endogenous retroviruses K and W (HERV-K and HERV-W) was determined in blood from moderately and severely affected ME/CFS patients through real time PCR.
Results
HERV-K was overexpressed only in moderately affected individuals but HERV-W showed no difference.
Conclusions
This is the first report about HERV-K differential expression in moderate ME/CFS. Although the relationship between HERVs and ME/CFS has yet to be proven, the observation of this phenomenon deserves further attention.