The multiple sclerosis-associated retrovirus and its HERV-W endogenous family: a biological interface between virology, genetics, and immunology in human physiology and disease

Abstract

This mini-review summarizes current knowledge of MSRV (multiple sclerosis–associated retrovirus), founder member of the type W family of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), its pathogenic potential and association with diseases. As retrotransposable elements, HERVs behave differently from stable genes, and cannot be studied with “Mendelian genetics” concepts only. They also display complex interactions with other HERV families, and with classical viruses. These concepts may contribute to unravelling the etiopathogenesis of complex diseases such as multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, and other chronic multifactorial diseases.

• endogenous retroviruses
• HERV-W
• MSRV
• multiple sclerosis
• schizophrenia
• syncytin

Acknowledgements

The author's work is supported partly by grants from Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla Onlus (grant no. 2005/R/11 to A.D.) and Italian Ministry of University and Research PRIN 2007 (A.D.) and Fondation CERAL (H.P.).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.