HERV-K10 as a Target of Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer
Abstract
The human genome contains about 1% endogenous retroviral sequences. Most human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are defective because of multiple termination codons. Of the many HERV families, only K appears to have all structural features necessary for viral replication. In our previous studies, HERV-K transcripts with coding potential for the envelope region were expressed frequently in human breast cancer cell lines and tissues (45%), but not in normal breast cells or tissues. In the current project, HERV-K molecules that serve as novel tumor targets for the detection, diagnosis, and immunotherapy of human breast cancer will be evaluated. It is very critical to determine whether or not HERV-K protein is expressed in breast cancer. We therefore synthesized HERV-K env surface protein. The purified proteins were used to immunize rabbits to produce polyclonal antibody, and mice to produce monoclonal antibody. The expression of HERV-K env surface protein in human breast cancer tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using anti-HERV-K antibodies. We detected protein expression in breast cancer tumor epithelial cells, but not in uninvolved epithelial cells from the same cancer patients, thus providing evidence that HERV-K env gene is not only transcriptionally active in breast cancer, but also has translational activity in breast cancer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA396539
Entities
People
- Feng Wang-johanning
Organizations
- University of Alabama