RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Demystified . . . Human endogenous retroviruses JF Molecular Pathology JO Mol Pathol FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists SP 11 OP 18 DO 10.1136/mp.56.1.11 VO 56 IS 1 A1 P N Nelson A1 P R Carnegie A1 J Martin A1 H Davari Ejtehadi A1 P Hooley A1 D Roden A1 S Rowland-Jones A1 P Warren A1 J Astley A1 P G Murray YR 2003 UL http://mp.bmj.com/content/56/1/11.abstract AB Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are a family of viruses within our genome with similarities to present day exogenous retroviruses. HERVs have been inherited by successive generations and it is possible that some have conferred biological benefits. However, several HERVs have been implicated in certain cancers and autoimmune diseases. This article demystifies these retroviruses by providing an insight into HERVs, their means of classification, and a synopsis of HERVs implicated in cancer and autoimmunity. Furthermore, the biological roles of HERVs are explored.