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Cell–Cell Fusions and Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Cancer

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Book cover Cell Fusions

Abstract

The overall focus of this review is the characterization and functional role of cell–cell fusions in connection with human endogenous retroviruses (HERV ) in cancer. Examples of multinucleated cells presented include placental syncytiotrophoblasts, muscle myotubes, bone osteoclasts involved in normal human development and cell–cell fusions detected in tumors. Examples of multinucleated cells in various cancers include germ cell tumors, glioblastoma, melanoma, lung, breast, ovarian and endometrial carcinomas. The role of different HERV-envelope proteins mediating fusion or regulation of cells in tumors is highlighted. Although multinucleated cells are detected in various tumors, their origin, functional role and overall cellular fate are ambiguous. The effect of multiple cancer cells fusing and in contrast cancer cells fusing with somatic cells is also discussed. Understanding tumorigenesis has to ultimately link the knowledge between the function and action of multinucleated cells, cell fusion, HERVs, retroviruses and cell signalling pathways.

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Abbreviations

ASCT:

Alanine, serine and cysteine selective transporters

BMD:

Bone marrow derived

BMDC:

Bone marrow derived cells

CD:

Cluster of differentiation

eff-1:

Epithelial fusion failure 1

EM:

Electron microscopy

env:

Envelope

gag:

Group-specific antigen

HA:

Hemagglutinin

HELLP:

Hemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelet count

HERV:

Human endogenous retrovirus

HIV:

Human immune deficiency virus

HTLV:

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus

IF:

Immunofluorescence

IHC:

Immunohistochemistry

IUGR:

Intrauterine growth restriction

MFSD2:

Major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2

MSRV:

Multiple sclerosis retrovirus

PE:

Pre-eclampsia

Pol:

Polymerase

RIA:

Radioimmunoassay

RNAi:

RNA interference

SU:

Surface unit

TGF:

Transforming growth factor

TM:

Transmembrane unit

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  1. Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, University-Clinic Erlangen, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Reiner Strick, Matthias W. Beckmann & Pamela L. Strissel

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  1. Reiner Strick
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  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, Division of Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Gronnegaardsvej 7, Frederiksberg C, 1870, Denmark

    Lars-Inge Larsson

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Strick, R., Beckmann, M.W., Strissel, P.L. (2011). Cell–Cell Fusions and Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Cancer. In: Larsson, LI. (eds) Cell Fusions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9772-9_17

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