Recent Advances in Retroviruses and Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs) in Mammalian Placenta and Beyond 2025
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomacromolecules: Nucleic Acids".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 38
Special Issue Editors
Interests: genetics; molecular biology; mammalian evolution; implantation/placentation; reproduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: suppressyn; trophoblast; cell fusion; HERV
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Retroviruses are well known for their ability to alter host cellular functions via integration into the host genome, which can lead to diseases such as cancer and immune disorders. While the pathogenic consequences of retroviral infection have been extensively studied, retroviral sequences that have become endogenized throughout evolution are increasingly recognized for their pivotal roles in host development and physiology. For instance, endogenous retroviral elements have been co-opted to support essential functions such as placental development in mammals. This dual nature of retroviruses—both as agents of disease and as contributors to evolutionary advantage—provides a compelling framework for understanding the dynamic interplay between viruses and their hosts. A more comprehensive understanding of how retroviruses shape both pathology and evolution could yield novel insights into gene regulation, immune function, and developmental biology. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in retrovirus research, and we invite the submission of original research articles and reviews that explore both endogenous and exogenous retroviruses.
Prof. Dr. Kazuhiko Imakawa
Dr. Jun Sugimoto
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- retroviruses
- ERVs (endogenous retroviruses)
- placental diversity
- organ development (stem cells)
- immunoregulation
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