ERVW-1 and HIV-1 infection: In this study, by comparing the gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from untreated patients with HIV-1 infection and healthy donors, we discovered that a transmembrane protein, otoferlin (OTOF) (34, –, 37), acts as an IFN-α-induced inhibitor of HIV-1 infection in macrophages and DCs.