Herpesvirus genome integration in whole-genome sequences of dementia and control cohorts.
Herpesvirus genome integration in whole-genome sequences of dementia and control cohorts.
Where did the research take place?
The study site has not been established. Author addresses may differ from where the research occurred.
Bethesda, US · Author affiliation
Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.Location evidence
Baltimore, US · Author affiliation
Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.Location evidence
London, GB · Author affiliation
Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.Location evidence
Hong Kong, HK · Author affiliation
Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.Location evidence
Kowloon, HK · Author affiliation
Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, Lo Ka Chung Building, Lee Shau Kee Campus, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.Location evidence
Bari, IT · Author affiliation
Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, BA, Italy.Location evidence
Hopkins, US · Author affiliation
Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.Location evidence
US · Author affiliation · country only
Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA.Location evidence
St. Louis, US · Author affiliation
NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.Location evidence
Turin, IT · Author affiliation
"Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Torino (TO), Italy.Location evidence
Rome, IT · Author affiliation
Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R., Roma (RM), Italy.Location evidence
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Original abstract
INTRODUCTION: The infectious hypothesis suggests that microbes like herpesviruses may play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other related dementias through methods that may include viral genome integration. The occurrence of herpesvirus genome integration in dementia patients has not been thoroughly characterized. METHODS: Over 7500 total whole-genome sequences from control, frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spectrum, Lewy body dementia (LBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and AD cohorts were screened for the integration of pathogen genomes using the PathSeq computational tool. RESULTS: Low PathSeq scores for human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) were consistent with the suspected integration of viral genome segments. The LBD and MSA cohorts had a significantly higher prevalence of this partial HHV-6 genome integration. DISCUSSION: This higher prevalence in both synucleinopathies was not noted in other herpesviruses, suggesting that the integration of HHV-6 may play a role in a subset of these patients. HIGHLIGHTS: Over 7500 whole-genome sequences from controls and dementia patients were analyzed. Sequences consistent with integrated herpesviruses were identified using PathSeq. Prevalence of partial HHV-6 integration was higher in synucleinopathies. Herpesviruses genome integration may play a role in subsets of dementia patients.