Transgenic expression of the HERV-W envelope protein leads to polarized glial cell populations and a neurodegenerative environment

January 1, 2023
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37695891

This article is currently being updated. View its version on PubMed.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37695891

Research summary

This study investigates the impact of HERV-W ENV protein expression on glial cell polarization and neurodegeneration. Transgenic mice expressing HERV-W ENV in the CNS exhibited neurotoxic glial phenotypes, impaired myelin repair, increased axonal degeneration, and accelerated progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Key outcome of the study

Mice expressing HERV-W ENV showed polarization of glial cells to neurotoxic states, impaired myelin repair, enhanced axonal degeneration, and accelerated autoimmune encephalomyelitis progression. This suggests that HERV-W activation plays a role in MS pathology by creating a neurodegenerative environment.

Mouse model

HERV-W ENV transgenic mouse model, where the HERV-W env gene was integrated into the Hprt permissive locus on the murine X-chromosome, ensuring stable and controlled expression in the CNS.

TARGET:
Ervw-1
Syncytin-1

Keywords

Multiple sclerosis, Neurodegeneration, Glial cell polarization, Myelin repair, Autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Technical specifications

Transgenic mouse model, Hprt locus targeted integration, CNS-specific expression, HERV-W ENV protein, Glial cell analysis, Neurodegeneration assessment

Related products

Catalogue product

No items found.

Customized product

Humanized KI mouse

Use humanized mice as in vivo tools for mimicking human pathological conditions and diseases, and for conducting preclinical research.

Quick KI mouse

The Rosa26 and Hprt gene loci are well suited for gene over-expression, reduced development time and cost with ready-to-use targeting vectors.