Expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in the blood of adolescents with and without obesity
Authors' conclusion
These findings suggest that obesity in adolescents is associated with a differential regulation of HERV elements, possibly reflecting the impact of chronic inflammatory and metabolic stress.
Study context
- Population
- Adolescents with and without obesity; HERV-H-pol, HERV-K-pol and HERV-W-pol expression in peripheral blood by RT-qPCR (GAPDH reference gene)
- Comparison
- Adolescents with obesity vs healthy normal weight controls
- Outcome
- Transcriptional levels of HERV-H-pol, HERV-K-pol and HERV-W-pol in peripheral blood
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
HERV transcriptional levels in peripheral blood
- HERV-H-pol and HERV-K-pol significantly upregulated in obesity vs HC
- HERV-W-pol downregulated in obesity vs HC
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- No significant associations between HERV expression levels and age, sex or metabolic parameters
Original publication
Expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in the blood of adolescents with and without obesity. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 29 June 2026. doi:10.
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