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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 12(1); 20; doi: 10.3390/ani12010020

Beclin 1, LC3 and P62 Expression in Equine Sarcoids.

Abstract: It is well known that δ-bovine papillomaviruses (BPV-1, BPV-2 and BPV-13) are one of the major causative agents of equine sarcoids, the most common equine skin tumors. Different viruses, including papillomaviruses, evolved ingenious strategies to modulate autophagy, a complex process involved in degradation and recycling of old and damaged material. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate, by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB) analysis, the expression of the main related autophagy proteins (Beclin 1, protein light chain 3 (LC3) and P62), in 35 BPV1/2 positive equine sarcoids and 5 BPV negative normal skin samples. Results: Sarcoid samples showed from strong-to-moderate cytoplasmic immunostaining, respectively, for Beclin 1 and P62 in >60% of neoplastic fibroblasts, while LC3 immunostaining was weak to moderate in ≤60% of neoplastic fibroblasts. Western blot analysis confirmed the specificity of the antibodies and revealed no activation of autophagic flux despite Beclin 1 overexpression in sarcoid samples. Conclusions: Results could suggest the activation of the initial phase of autophagy in equine sarcoids, and its impairment during the following steps. The impairment of autophagy could lead to a selection of a quiescent population of fibroblasts, which survive longer in a hypoxic microenvironment and produced more and/or altered collagen.
Publication Date: 2021-12-23 PubMed ID: 35011126PubMed Central: PMC8749869DOI: 10.3390/ani12010020Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research focused on studying the expression of key autophagy proteins, namely Beclin 1, LC3 and P62, in horse skin tumors, or equine sarcoids, caused by δ-bovine papillomaviruses. Their findings suggest that initial stages of autophagy may be activated in these tumors, but are impeded in later stages, which could lead to a survival advantage for certain fibroblasts in a low-oxygen environment and influence collagen production.

Research Objectives

  • The aim of the study was to observe the expression of Beclin 1, protein light chain 3 (LC3), and P62 proteins in horse skin tumors caused by δ-bovine papillomaviruses (BPV-1, BPV-2 and BPV-13), considered to be one of the major causes of these tumors.

Methods

  • The researchers used immunohistochemistry (a technique for detecting proteins in cells of a tissue section) and Western blot analysis, a common method for detection and quantification of individual proteins in a sample.
  • They selected 35 BPV1/2 positive equine sarcoid samples and 5 BPV negative normal skin samples for comparison.

Results

  • The sarcoid samples demonstrated significant to moderate cytoplasmic immunostaining (an indication of the presence of the target protein) for Beclin 1 and P62 in over 60% of the neoplastic (abnormal growth) fibroblasts, or cells that produce the structural framework of animal tissues.
  • LC3 immunostaining was found to be weak to moderate in fewer or equal to 60% of the neoplastic fibroblasts.
  • Western blot analysis confirmed the specificity of the antibodies used in the immunohistochemistry and revealed that despite the overexpression of Beclin 1, there was no activation of the autophagic flux, a process which is critical for cellular waste disposal and recycling.

Conclusions

  • The findings indicate a possible activation of the initial phase of autophagy in horse skin tumors and suggest impairment during subsequent steps.
  • This impaired autophagy process could potentially create a population of fibroblasts that survive longer in a low-oxygen microenvironment and consequently produce more collagen, a key structural protein in skin tissue, or alter its production in some way.

Cite This Article

APA
Martano M, Altamura G, Power K, Liguori P, Restucci B, Borzacchiello G, Maiolino P. (2021). Beclin 1, LC3 and P62 Expression in Equine Sarcoids. Animals (Basel), 12(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12010020

Publication

ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
PII: 20

Researcher Affiliations

Martano, Manuela
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Altamura, Gennaro
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Power, Karen
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Liguori, Pierluigi
  • DVM, EQUINE CLINIC Punto Verde, 81110 Caserta, Italy.
Restucci, Brunella
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Borzacchiello, Giuseppe
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
Maiolino, Paola
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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