Modulation of human endogenous retroviruses -H, -W and -K transcription by microbes

Massimiliano Bergallo; Ilaria Galliano; Paola Montanari; Elena Zaniol; Elisa Graziano; Cristina Calvi; Carla Alliaudi; Valentina Daprà; Francesco Savino

doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2020.01.006

Modulation of human endogenous retroviruses -H, -W and -K transcription by microbes

Microbes Infect. 2020 Sep;22(8):366-370. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2020.01.006. Epub 2020 Feb 6.

Authors

Massimiliano Bergallo¹, Ilaria Galliano², Paola Montanari³, Elena Zaniol⁴, Elisa Graziano⁵, Cristina Calvi⁶, Carla Alliaudi⁷, Valentina Daprà⁸, Francesco Savino⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁸ Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁹ Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 32035224
DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2020.01.006

Abstract

The human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are endogenous retroviruses that are inserted into the germ cell DNA of humans over 30 million years ago. Using real-time RT-PCR we describe HERV modulation by commensal microbes in the human gut. Infants, exclusively or predominant breast milk feeding, less than 12 weeks of age, during bacteria gut colonization, were assessed for eligibility. Our data demonstrate that the colonization with commensal microbes, in particular, Bifidobacterium spp., of the gut causes modulation of HERVs.

Keywords: Gut microbiota; HERV-H; HERV-K; HERV-W; Microbes; Real-time PCR.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bacteria / classification
Bacteria / isolation & purification
Breast Feeding
Endogenous Retroviruses / classification
Endogenous Retroviruses / genetics*
Feces / microbiology
Gastrointestinal Microbiome / genetics
Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology*
Gene Products, pol / blood
Gene Products, pol / genetics
Humans
Infant
Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

Gene Products, pol