Modulation of Human endogenous retroviruses –H, -W and -K transcription by microbes

Publication date: Available online 6 February 2020Source: Microbes and InfectionAuthor(s): Massimiliano Bergallo, Ilaria Galliano, Paola Montanari, Elena Zaniol, Elisa Graziano, Cristina Calvi, Carla Alliaudi, Valentina Daprà, Francesco SavinoAbstractThe human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are endogenous retroviruses that are inserted into the germ cell DNA of humans over 30 million years ago. Using real-time RT-PCR we describe HERV modulation by commensal microbes in the human gut.Infants, exclusively or predominant breast milk feeding, less than 12 weeks of age, during bacteria gut colonization, were assessed for eligibility.Our data demonstrate that the colonization with commensal microbes, in particular, Bifidobacterium spp., of the gut causes modulation of HERVs.
Source: Microbes and Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research