Downregulation of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Type K (HERV-K) Viral env RNA in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Decreases Cell Proliferation and Tumor Growth.

ABSTRACT: Purpose: We investigated the role of the human endogenous retrovirus type K (HERV-K) envelope (env) gene in pancreatic cancer.Experimental Design: shRNA was employed to knockdown (KD) the expression of HERV-K in pancreatic cancer cells.Results: HERV-K env expression was detected in seven pancreatic cancer cell lines and in 80% of pancreatic cancer patient biopsies, but not in two normal pancreatic cell lines or uninvolved normal tissues. A new HERV-K splice variant was discovered in several pancreatic cancer cell lines. Reverse transcriptase activity and virus-like particles were observed in culture media supernatant obtained from Panc-1 and Panc-2 cells. HERV-K viral RNA levels and anti-HERV-K antibody titers were significantly higher in pancreatic cance

SUBMITTER: Li M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5777511 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature