2023-09-05 01:40:05
Title: The Role of Endogenous Viruses in Neurodegenerative Diseases Revealed
Date: 5th September 2023
By Claudia Krapp
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding human endogenous retroviruses’ (HERV) involvement in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. These remnants of viruses in the human genome, which make up around ten percent of our DNA, have been found to contribute to the spreading of clumped tau proteins in the brain, a characteristic feature of Alzheimer’s. The activation of certain HERVs has also been associated with other neurological diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).
The research team led by Ina Vorberg and Shu Liu from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) investigated the role of endogenous retroviruses in dementia. Laboratory studies using cell cultures revealed that viral proteins produced by HERV-W and HERV-K facilitate the transport of protein aggregates, specifically clumps of malformed tau proteins, from one cell to another. These tau aggregates are commonly found in the brains of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.
Further experiments conducted by the researchers showed that endoviral proteins nest in the cell membrane and membrane vesicles, serving as transport mediators for the tau aggregates. This transport can occur through direct cell contact via membrane fusion or through vesicles that are pinched off from the cell membrane and fuse with the membrane of another cell.
Although the endogenous retroviruses themselves do not trigger neurodegeneration, once the disease process has started, they can fuel its progression. The researchers believe that these dormant retroviruses become “awakened” during the aging process and may contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. This awakening could be due to changes in gene regulation that naturally occur with age.
These findings provide new insights into the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and open up potential therapeutic approaches. One strategy could involve targeting and switching off the endogenous viruses that have been activated with age, preventing them from producing viral proteins. Another approach could be to neutralize the viral proteins using antibodies from a passive vaccine. However, the development of the necessary drugs is still in progress.
The research team in Bonn aims to identify suitable antibodies and explore whether existing antiviral drugs can inhibit the transport of protein aggregates. These advancements could someday lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Source: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases eV (DZNE)]
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