Maliniemi, P.* ; Vincendeau, M. ; Mayer, J.* ; Frank, O.* ; Hahtola, S.* ; Karenko, L.* ; Carlsson, E.* ; Mallet, F.* ; Seifarth, W.* ; Leib-Mösch, C. ; Ranki, A.*
     
    
        
Expression of human endogenous retrovirus-W including syncytin-1 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
    
    
        
    
    
        
        PLoS ONE 8:e76281 (2013)
    
    
    
      
      
	
	    The pathomechanism of mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) and a malignancy of non-recirculating, skin-resident T-cells, is unknown albeit underlying viral infections have been sought for. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient retroviral sequences in the human genome and their transcription is often deregulated in cancers. We explored the transcriptional activity of HERV sequences in a total of 34 samples comprising MF and psoriasis skin lesions, as well as corresponding non-malignant skin using a retrovirus-specific microarray and quantitative RT-PCR. To identify active HERV-W loci, we cloned the HERV-W specific RT-PCR products, sequenced the cDNA clones and assigned the sequences to HERV-W loci. Finally, we used immunohistochemistry on MF patient and non-malignant inflammatory skin samples to confirm specific HERV-encoded protein expression. Firstly, a distinct, skin-specific transcription profile consisting of five constitutively active HERV groups was established. Although individual variability was common, HERV-W showed significantly increased transcription in MF lesions compared to clinically intact skin from the same patient. Predominantly transcribed HERV-W loci were found to be located in chromosomes 6q21 and 7q21.2, chromosomal regions typically altered in CTCL. Surprisingly, we also found the expression of 7q21.2/ERVWE1-encoded Syncytin-1 (Env) protein in MF biopsies and expression of Syncytin-1 was seen in malignant lymphocytes, especially in the epidermotropic ones, in 15 of 30 cases studied. Most importantly, no Syncytin-1 expression was detected in inflammatory dermatosis (Lichen ruber planus) with skin-homing, non-malignant T lymphocytes. The expression of ERVWE1 mRNA was further confirmed in 3/7 MF lesions analyzed. Our observations strengthen the association between activated HERVs and cancer. The study offers a new perspective into the pathogenesis of CTCL since we demonstrate that differences in HERV-W transcription levels between lesional MF and non-malignant skin are significant, and that ERVWE1-encoded Syncytin-1 is expressed in MF lymphoma cells.
	
	
	    
	
       
      
	
	    
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        Publication type
        Article: Journal article
    
 
    
        Document type
        Scientific Article
    
 
    
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        Keywords
        In-situ Hybridization ; Mycosis-fungoides ; Sezary-syndrome ; Multiple-sclerosis ; Herv-w ; Envelope Protein ; Transcriptional Activity ; Transposable Elements ; Human Tissues ; Copy Number
    
 
    
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        Language
        english
    
 
    
        Publication Year
        2013
    
 
    
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        2013
    
 
    
    
        ISSN (print) / ISBN
        1932-6203
    
 
    
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	    Volume: 8,  
	    Issue: 10,  
	    Pages: ,  
	    Article Number: e76281 
	    Supplement: ,  
	
    
 
    
        
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            Public Library of Science (PLoS)
        
 
        
            Publishing Place
            Lawrence, Kan.
        
 
	
        
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        Reviewing status
        Peer reviewed
    
 
     
    
        POF-Topic(s)
        30203 - Molecular Targets and Therapies
    
 
    
        Research field(s)
        Immune Response and Infection
    
 
    
        PSP Element(s)
        G-502700-001
    
 
    
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        Erfassungsdatum
        2013-10-24