Inherited chromosomally integrated HHV-6 possibly modulates human gene expression.

Approximately, 1% of human population possesses a copy of human herpesvirus 6A and 6B (HHV-6A/B) in the genome. This viral element is referred to as inherited chromosomally integrated HHV-6A/B (iciHHV-6A/B) and is encoded in all of their cells. A recent study revealed that iciHHV-6A/B potentially increases the immune responses against HHV-6. However, it remains unclear whether iciHHV-6A/B affects human gene expression. Here, we perform global transcriptome analysis using the datasets obtained from various human tissues. We detected two and four individuals positive for iciHHV-6A and iciHHV-6B, respectively, and revealed that the transcriptional expression of iciHHV-6A/B was sporadic in the human body. Transcriptome analysis identified the human genes differentially expressed between iciHHV-6A/B-positive and -negative individuals. Particularly, the expression of some genes encoding immunoglobulins decreased in sigmoid colon of iciHHV-6A/B-positive individuals. Our findings suggest that iciHHV-6A/B may be associated with human health maintenance.