Pharmaceuticals (Jan 2021)

Endogenous Retroviruses in Nervous System Disorders

  • Victoria Gröger,
  • Alexander Emmer,
  • Martin S. Staege,
  • Holger Cynis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14010070
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
p. 70

Abstract

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Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several nervous system disorders including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The toxicity of HERV-derived RNAs and proteins for neuronal cells has been demonstrated. The involvement of HERV in the pathogenesis of currently incurable diseases might offer new treatment strategies based on the inhibition of HERV activities by small molecules or therapeutic antibodies.

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