{"id":117098,"date":"2024-10-22T15:13:01","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T08:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=117098"},"modified":"2024-10-22T15:13:01","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T08:13:01","slug":"viral-dna-in-our-genome-linked-to-als-and-ms-susceptibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=117098","title":{"rendered":"Viral DNA in Our Genome Linked to ALS and MS Susceptibility"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Summary: <\/strong>A new study reveals that ancient viral DNA embedded in the human genome is associated with genetic risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers found specific human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) that influence susceptibility to these neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>\n<p>By analyzing brain samples, they identified viral sequences linked to disease risk, offering insights into the genetic factors driving these conditions. These findings open up new possibilities for developing therapies targeting HERVs to treat ALS and MS.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key Facts<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ancient viral DNA (HERVs) is linked to ALS and MS risk.<\/li>\n<li>Researchers identified specific HERVs associated with neurodegenerative diseases.<\/li>\n<li>Targeting these viral elements may lead to new therapies for ALS and MS.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>King\u2019s College London<\/p>\n<p><strong>New research from King\u2019s College London has revealed a connection between ancient viral DNA embedded in the human genome and the genetic risk for two major diseases that affect the central nervous system.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The study, conducted by researchers from King\u2019s College London and Northwell Health, focused on human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs)\u2014remnants of ancient retroviral infections that are now fixed features within our DNA.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-105567\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-300x200.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-770x513.jpg.webp 770w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-1155x770.jpg.webp 1155w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-370x247.jpg.webp 370w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-293x195.jpg.webp 293w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-150x100.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience.jpg\" alt=\"This shows DNA and a brain.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-1155x770.jpg 1155w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-293x195.jpg 293w, https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/files\/2024\/10\/genetics-als-ms-neuroscience-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/> <\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">By better understanding how these viral elements drive disease, researchers hope this could aid the development of novel treatments that could mitigate the impact of neurodegenerative diseases. Credit: Neuroscience News<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Using a cutting-edge genomic technique, the team identified specific HERV expression signatures linked to multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as motor neurone disease).<\/p>\n<p>These findings suggest that viral elements within our DNA may play a role in the development of these neurodegenerative diseases.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Neurodegenerative diseases are characterised by progressive degeneration and loss of neurons, resulting in the deterioration of the nervous system\u2019s structure and function.<\/p>\n<p>Multiple sclerosis is amongst the most common neurodegenerative diseases affecting young adults, with over 150,000 people in the UK living with this lifelong condition. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is less common, with approximately 5,000 cases in the UK, and it is associated with a more severe prognosis.<\/p>\n<p>Published in\u00a0<em>Brain, Behavior, and Immunity<\/em>, the study marks an important advance in understanding the complex genetic architecture of neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>\n<p>While previous studies hinted at a connection between HERVs and these conditions, this is amongst the first to pinpoint specific HERVs that are associated with disease susceptibility.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur findings offer robust evidence that specific viral sequences within our genome contribute to the risk of neurodegenerative diseases,\u201d said Dr. Rodrigo R. R. Duarte, co-lead author of the study and Research Fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology (IoPPN), King\u2019s College London.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese sequences are not just static fossils derived from ancient viral infections\u2014they must be actively influencing brain function in ways we are only beginning to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The researchers analyzed data from hundreds of brain samples to map out the relationship between HERV expression and genetic risk factors for four neurodegenerative diseases:\u00a0Parkinson\u2019s disease, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis.<\/p>\n<p>They identified a robust HERV signature on chromosome 12q14 (MER61_12q14.2) associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and another on chromosome 1p36 (ERVLE_1p36.32a), associated with multiple sclerosis.<\/p>\n<p>These viral sequences appear to be involved in homophilic cell adhesion\u2014a process essential for communication between cells in the brain. No robust signatures were observed for Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s disease, although the authors highlight that larger studies may uncover novel associations in the future.<\/p>\n<p>As the global burden of neurodegenerative diseases continues to grow\u2014with over 50 million people currently affected worldwide, a number projected to nearly triple by 2050\u2014these insights offer a promising direction for future research and treatment development.<\/p>\n<p>This discovery opens up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions targeting HERVs. By better understanding how these viral elements drive disease, researchers hope this could aid the development of novel treatments that could mitigate the impact of neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUsing large genetic datasets and a new analysis pipeline, this study is well equipped at pinpointing which specific HERVs are important in increasing susceptibility for neurodegenerative diseases\u201d, said Dr.\u00a0Timothy\u00a0R.\u00a0Powell, co-lead author and Senior Lecturer in Translational Genetics &amp; Neuroscience at King\u2019s IoPPN.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe now need to better understand how these HERVS impact on brain function, and whether or not targeting HERVs could offer new therapeutic opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Funding: <\/strong>The research was part-funded by the National Institute for Health and Care (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and The Psychiatry Research Trust.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About this neurology and genetics research news<\/h2>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffffe8\"><strong>Author: <\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#5b3d293a35383a753f3a2d3e352b34292f1b303837753a38752e30\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Franca Davenport<\/a><br \/><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/kcl.ac.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">King\u2019s College London<\/a><br \/><strong>Contact: <\/strong>Franca Davenport \u2013 King\u2019s College London<br \/><strong>Image: <\/strong>The image is credited to Neuroscience News<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffffe8\"><strong>Original Research: <\/strong>Open access.<br \/>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0889159124006615\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ancient viral DNA in the human genome linked to neurodegenerative diseases<\/a>\u201d by Rodrigo R. R. Duarte et al. <em>Brain, Behavior, and Immunity<\/em><\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-pale-cyan-blue-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-background\"\/>\n<p><strong>Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ancient viral DNA in the human genome linked to neurodegenerative diseases<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"st015\">Background<\/h3>\n<p>Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are sequences in the human genome that originated from infections with ancient retroviruses during our evolution. Previous studies have linked HERVs to neurodegenerative diseases, but defining their role in aetiology has been challenging. Here, we used a retrotranscriptome-wide association study (rTWAS) approach to assess the relationships between genetic risk for neurodegenerative diseases and HERV expression in the brain, calculated with genomic precision.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"st020\">Methods<\/h3>\n<p>We analysed genetic association statistics pertaining to Alzheimer\u2019s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson\u2019s disease, using HERV expression models calculated from 792 cortical samples. Robust risk factors were considered those that survived multiple testing correction in the primary analysis, which were also significant in conditional and joint analyses, and that had a posterior inclusion probability above 0.5 in fine-mapping analyses.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"st025\">Results<\/h3>\n<p>The primary analysis identified 12 HERV expression signatures associated with neurodegenerative disease susceptibility. We found one HERV expression signature robustly associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on chromosome 12q14 (MER61_12q14.2) and one robustly associated with multiple sclerosis on chromosome 1p36 (ERVLE_1p36.32a). A co-expression analysis suggested that these HERVs are involved in homophilic cell adhesion via plasma membrane adhesion molecules.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"st030\">Conclusions<\/h3>\n<p>We found HERV expression profiles robustly associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis susceptibility, highlighting novel risk mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease, and offering potential new targets for therapeutic intervention.<\/p>\n<p> <!-- Form created by Optin Forms plugin by WPKube: create beautiful optin forms with ease! --> <!-- https:\/\/wpkube.com\/ --><!--optinforms-form5-container--> <!-- \/ Optin Forms --> <\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/neurosciencenews.com\/hervs-ms-als-neurology-27899\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary: A new study reveals that ancient viral DNA embedded in the human genome is associated with genetic risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). 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