[HTML][HTML] Human endogenous retrovirus and neuroinflammation in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
R Faucard, A Madeira, N Gehin, FJ Authier… - …, 2016 - thelancet.com
R Faucard, A Madeira, N Gehin, FJ Authier, PA Panaite, C Lesage, I Burgelin, M Bertel…
EBioMedicine, 2016•thelancet.comBackground Human endogenous retroviruses HERV-W encode a pro-inflammatory protein,
named MSRV-Env from its original identification in Multiple Sclerosis. Though not detected
in various neurological controls, MSRV-Env was found in patients with chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies (CIDPs). This study investigated the expression of
MSRV in CIDP and evaluated relevant MSRV-Env pathogenic effects. Methods 50 CIDP
patients, 19 other neurological controls (ONDs) and 65 healthy blood donors (HBDs) were …
named MSRV-Env from its original identification in Multiple Sclerosis. Though not detected
in various neurological controls, MSRV-Env was found in patients with chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies (CIDPs). This study investigated the expression of
MSRV in CIDP and evaluated relevant MSRV-Env pathogenic effects. Methods 50 CIDP
patients, 19 other neurological controls (ONDs) and 65 healthy blood donors (HBDs) were …
Background
Human endogenous retroviruses HERV-W encode a pro-inflammatory protein, named MSRV-Env from its original identification in Multiple Sclerosis. Though not detected in various neurological controls, MSRV-Env was found in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies (CIDPs). This study investigated the expression of MSRV in CIDP and evaluated relevant MSRV-Env pathogenic effects.
Methods
50 CIDP patients, 19 other neurological controls (ONDs) and 65 healthy blood donors (HBDs) were recruited from two different countries. MSRV-env and -pol transcripts, IL6 and CXCL10 levels were quantified from blood samples. MSRV-Env immunohistology was performed in distal sensory nerves from CIDP and neurological controls biopsies. MSRV-Env pathogenic effects and mode of action were assayed in cultured primary human Schwann cells (HSCs).
Findings
In both cohorts, MSRV-env and -pol transcripts, IL6 positivity prevalence and CXCL10 levels were significantly elevated in CIDP patients when compared to HBDs and ONDs (statistically significant in all comparisons). MSRV-Env protein was detected in Schwann cells in 5/7 CIDP biopsies. HSC exposed to or transfected with MSRV-env presented a strong increase of IL6 and CXCL10 transcripts and protein secretion. These pathogenic effects on HSC were inhibited by GNbAC1, a highly specific and neutralizing humanized monoclonal antibody targeting MSRV-Env.
Interpretation
The present study showed that MSRV-Env may trigger the release of critical immune mediators proposed as instrumental factors involved in the pathophysiology of CIDP. Significant MSRV-Env expression was detected in a significant proportion of patients with CIDP, in which it may play a role according to its presently observed effects on Schwann cells along with previously known effects on immune cells.
Experimental results also suggest that a biomarker-driven therapeutic strategy targeting this protein with a neutralizing antibody such as GNbAC1 may offer new perspectives for treating CIDP patients with positive detection of MSRV-Env expression.
Funding
Geneuro-Innovation, France.
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