The genetic diversity of HIV-1 represents a major challenge in vaccine development. In this study, we establish a rationale for eliminating HIV-1-infected cells by targeting cellular immune responses against stable human endogenous retroviral (HERV) antigens. HERV DNA sequences in the human genome represent the remnants of ancient infectious retroviruses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe expression of endogenous retrotransposable elements, including long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1 or L1) and human endogenous retrovirus, accompanies neoplastic transformation and infection with viruses such as HIV. The ability to engender immunity safely against such self-antigens would facilitate the development of novel vaccines and immunotherapies. In this article, we address the safety and immunogenicity of vaccination with these elements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInvest Ophthalmol Vis Sci
September 2005
Purpose: To identify the gene responsible for a complex ocular phenotype of late-onset macular degeneration, long anterior zonules (LAZ), and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and to study its expression.
Methods: Ocular examination, visual field, fluorescein angiography, and electrophysiology testing were performed. One affected individual was treated with vitamin A.
Purpose: To develop and apply microarray-based resequencing technology to detect sequence alterations in multiple autosomal recessive retinal disease genes on a single high-throughput platform.
Methods: Oligonucleotides corresponding to both strands of the target exons and the flanking intron sequences of 29,214 bp from 11 genes associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) were tiled on 20 x 25-microm microarrays (arRP-I arrays). A total of 155 exons were amplified from 35 arRP patient DNA samples, with each sample being sequenced on an arRP-I chip by hybridization.
The subtelomeric region of mouse chromosome (Chr) 4 harbors loci with effects on behavior, development, and disease susceptibility. Regions near the telomeres are more difficult to map and characterize than other areas because of the unique features of subtelomeric DNA. As a result of these problems, the available mapping information for this part of mouse Chr 4 was insufficient to pursue candidate gene evaluation.
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