Expression profiles of TNF-Alpha and HERV-K Env proteins in multiple types of colon and lung disease

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) were integrated into the human genome millions of years ago and have since proliferated to comprise about 8% of the human genome. For a long time, HERVs were thought to be remnants of ancient viruses, rendered inactive over the ages. However, recent studies have revealed that HERVs are involved in various diseases, including cancer. Notably, HERVs have been found to play a crucial role in immune responses and inflammatory processes, indicating their significant influence on the regulation of immune-related diseases.

We reported in previous reports that HERV-K119 env Knockout (KO) and inflammatory response were associated. In this study, we identified the correlation between inflammatory disease and HERV-K Env and TNF-Alpha protein expression in multiple types of colon disease tissue and lung disease spectrum tissue.

We performed Immunofluorescence (IF) using multiple types of colon disease and lung disease spectrum tissue microarray (TMAs) and compared and analyzed the patient clinical data provided.

As a result, we identified that the expression of HERV-K Env and TNF-Alpha proteins in certain colorectal inflammatory diseases and certain lung inflammatory diseases showed specific expression. And through the analysis of the clinical data provided, environmental factors could be identified.

Our study demonstrates that the relationship between TNF-Alpha and HERV-K Env expression in inflammation disease and clinical significance of disease tissues.