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Am J Perinatol 2019; 36(10): 1060-1065
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1675768
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Transcriptional Activity of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Response to Prenatal Exposure of Maternal Cigarette Smoking

Massimiliano Bergallo
1   Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Citoimmunodiagnostics Laboratory, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy
2   Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
,
Ilaria Galliano
1   Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Citoimmunodiagnostics Laboratory, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy
2   Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
,
Valentina Daprà
1   Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Citoimmunodiagnostics Laboratory, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy
,
Alice Pirra
3   Complex Structure Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatric, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
,
Paola Montanari
1   Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Citoimmunodiagnostics Laboratory, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy
2   Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
,
Marzia Pavan
4   Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Turin, Italy
,
Cristina Calvi
1   Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Citoimmunodiagnostics Laboratory, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy
2   Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
,
Enrico Bertino
2   Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
3   Complex Structure Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatric, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
,
Alessandra Coscia
2   Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
3   Complex Structure Neonatology Unit, Department of Public Health and Pediatric, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
,
Pier-Angelo Tovo
1   Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Citoimmunodiagnostics Laboratory, University of Turin, Medical School, Turin, Italy
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
Further Information

Publication History

05 July 2018

01 October 2018

Publication Date:
30 November 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Objective Transcription of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) elements is usually suppressed by epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation and heterochromatin silencing by histone modifications. There is an association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and DNA methylation levels in placental tissue and in DNA from cord blood.

Study Design We assessed the transcriptional activity of HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W in umbilical cord blood from 47 term babies unexposed to tobacco smoke in utero and 23 term babies exposed to tobacco smoke in utero.

Results In our population, the HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W families were always transcriptionally active, and the levels of all HERVs (H, K, W) were significantly higher in unexposed than smoke-exposed babies.

Conclusion This study provides preliminary information about the transcriptional activity of HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W families in human umbilical cord blood.

Keywords

HERV-K - HERV-H - HERV-W - cigarette smoke
 

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