Is human endogenous retrovirus with a high genomic sequence homology with IDDMK ( 1,2 ) 22 specific for Type I ( insulin-dependent ) diabetic patients but ubiquitous?
We conclude that a human endogenous retroviral gene with high sequence homology with IDDMK(1,2)22 is not specific for diabetic patients but, rather, is ubiquitous.
The findings support our hypothesis that the oxidative stress resistance exhibited by RPE cells may be explained by a high autophagic influx of iron-binding proteins that would keep levels of redox-active lysosomal iron low.