Detection of T lymphocytes specific for human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) in patients with seminoma

S Rakoff-Nahoum, P J. Kuebler… - AIDS Research & …, 2006 - liebertpub.com
S Rakoff-Nahoum, P J. Kuebler, J J. Heymann, M E. Sheehy, G M. Ortiz, G S. Ogg…
AIDS Research & Human Retroviruses, 2006liebertpub.com
Human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) is distinctive among the retroviruses that
comprise about 8% of the human genome in that multiple HERV-K proviruses encode full-
length viral proteins, and many HERV-K proviruses formed during recent human evolution.
HERV-K gag proteins are found in the cytoplasm of primary tumor cells of patients with
seminoma. We identified HERV-K-specific T cells in patients with a past history of seminoma
using the interferon-gamma ELISPOT assay and an MHC-HERV-K peptide-specific tetramer …
Human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) is distinctive among the retroviruses that comprise about 8% of the human genome in that multiple HERV-K proviruses encode full-length viral proteins, and many HERV-K proviruses formed during recent human evolution. HERV-K gag proteins are found in the cytoplasm of primary tumor cells of patients with seminoma. We identified HERV-K-specific T cells in patients with a past history of seminoma using the interferon-gamma ELISPOT assay and an MHC-HERV-K peptide-specific tetramer. A minority of apparently healthy subjects without evident germ cell tumors also made HERV-Kspecific T cell responses. In summary, we detected T cell reactivity to HERV-K peptides in both past seminoma patients and a minority of apparently healthy controls.
Mary Ann Liebert