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BPV-1 infection is not confined to the dermis but also involves the epidermis of equine sarcoids.
Abstract: In equids, bovine papillomaviruses of type 1 (BPV-1) and less frequently type 2 induce common, locally aggressive skin tumours termed sarcoids. Whereas BPV infection in cattle usually involves the epidermis and is productive in this skin layer, infection in equids is currently thought to be abortive, with virus solely residing as multiple episomes in dermal fibroblasts. Based on recent observations that do not agree with this assumption, we hypothesised that BPV also infects equid epidermis and is active in this skin layer. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a proof-of-principle study on eight distinct sarcoids. Presence of viral DNA was addressed by qualitative and quantitative BPV-1 PCR from microdissected sarcoid epidermis, and by subsequent amplicon sequencing. Viral activity was assessed by screening sarcoid epidermis for BPV-1 protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC) or immunofluorescence (IF). Virus-free equine skin served as negative control throughout the assays. BPV-1 DNA was demonstrated in all sarcoid epidermis samples, with viral DNA loads ranging between 2 and 195 copies/cell. Identical BPV-1 E5 genes were identified in epidermis and dermis of each of two sarcoids, yet different E5 variants were found in individual lesions. IHC/IF revealed the presence of E5 and E7 protein in sarcoid epidermis, and L1 capsomers in the squamous layer of one lesion. These findings indicate that BPV infection also involves the epidermis, where it may occasionally be productive.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2010-12-23 PubMed ID: 21242040DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.12.021Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research explores the concept that the bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) does not only infect the dermis (inner layer of the skin), but also the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) in equids (horse family), challenging the prior assumption that BPV-1 was only abortively infective and remained only in the dermis as multiple episomes in dermal fibroblasts.
Hypothesis and Methods
- The researchers hypothesized that BPV-1 also infects the epidermis of equids and is active within this skin layer. This hypothesis was based on recent observations which conflicted with previous assumptions.
- To test this hypothesis, a study was conducted on eight distinct sarcoids (a type of skin tumour in equids induced by BPV, typically local and aggressive).
- The research focused on confirming the presence of viral DNA by employing both qualitative and quantitative PCR analysis techniques through microdissected sarcoid epidermis. The findings were then sequenced.
Detection of Viral Activity
- Viral activity was evaluated by checking for BPV-1 protein expression in the sarcoid epidermis using immunohistochemistry (IHC) or immunofluorescence (IF).
- Another control element was the use of virus-free equine skin to ensure that the presence of BPV-1 was indeed an anomaly in the sarcoid samples and not a common occurrence.
Results
- The findings from this research demonstrated the presence of BPV-1 DNA in all samples of the sarcoid epidermis. The viral DNA loads identified varied widely, ranging from 2 to 195 copies per cell.
- The study also found identical BPV-1 E5 genes in both the epidermis and dermis of two of the sarcoids, although different E5 variants were found in individual lesions.
- Furthermore, the researchers discovered the presence of the E5 and E7 protein in the sarcoid epidermis. One sample even showed the presence of L1 capsomers in the squamous layer.
- All these findings support the theory that BPV-1 can also infect and potentially be active within the equid’s epidermis, which challenges the pre-existing assumption of the virus’ behavior in equids.
Cite This Article
APA
Brandt S, Tober R, Corteggio A, Burger S, Sabitzer S, Walter I, Kainzbauer C, Steinborn R, Nasir L, Borzacchiello G.
(2010).
BPV-1 infection is not confined to the dermis but also involves the epidermis of equine sarcoids.
Vet Microbiol, 150(1-2), 35-40.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.12.021 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Biotechnology Unit of Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria. sabine.brandt@vetmeduni.ac.at
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bovine papillomavirus 1 / genetics
- Bovine papillomavirus 1 / pathogenicity
- DNA, Viral / genetics
- DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
- Epidermis / pathology
- Epidermis / virology
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses / virology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Mice
- Papillomavirus Infections / pathology
- Papillomavirus Infections / veterinary
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Skin Neoplasms / veterinary
- Skin Neoplasms / virology
- Viral Load
Citations
This article has been cited 14 times.- Maggi R, De Paolis L, De Santis D, Vellone VG, De Ciucis CG, Fruscione F, Mazzocco K, Ghelardi A, Marruchella G, Razzuoli E. Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1 Infection in an Equine Congenital Papilloma. Pathogens 2023 Aug 18;12(8).
- Hainisch EK, Jindra C, Kirnbauer R, Brandt S. Papillomavirus-like Particles in Equine Medicine. Viruses 2023 Jan 25;15(2).
- Hainisch EK, Jindra C, Reicher P, Miglinci L, Brodesser DM, Brandt S. Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1 or 2 Virion-Infected Primary Fibroblasts Constitute a Near-Natural Equine Sarcoid Model. Viruses 2022 Nov 28;14(12).
- Martano M, Altamura G, Power K, Restucci B, Carella F, Borzacchiello G, Maiolino P. Evaluation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Alpha (HIF-1α) in Equine Sarcoid: An Immunohistochemical and Biochemical Study. Pathogens 2020 Jan 14;9(1).
- Shimakura H, Dong J, Zhu W, Chambers JK, Uchida K, Kiriki K, Uematsu M, Goto Y, Yasuda M, Yamashita-Kawanishi N, Tsuzuki M, LE DT, Hatama S, Haga T. Full genome analysis of bovine papillomavirus type 1 derived from a calf with severe cutaneous multiple papillomatosis. J Vet Med Sci 2018 Nov 9;80(11):1691-1695.
- Wilson AD, Hicks C. Both tumour cells and infiltrating T-cells in equine sarcoids express FOXP3 associated with an immune-supressed cytokine microenvironment. Vet Res 2016 May 9;47(1):55.
- Martano M, Corteggio A, Restucci B, De Biase ME, Borzacchiello G, Maiolino P. Extracellular matrix remodeling in equine sarcoid: an immunohistochemical and molecular study. BMC Vet Res 2016 Feb 2;12:24.
- Rothacker CC, Boyle AG, Levine DG. Autologous vaccination for the treatment of equine sarcoids: 18 cases (2009-2014). Can Vet J 2015 Jul;56(7):709-14.
- Mosseri S, Hetzel U, Hahn S, Michaloupoulou E, Sallabank HC, Knottenbelt DC, Kipar A. Equine sarcoid: In situ demonstration of matrix metalloproteinase expression. Vet J 2014 Nov;202(2):279-85.
- Cotugno R, Gallotta D, d'Avenia M, Corteggio A, Altamura G, Roperto F, Belisario MA, Borzacchiello G. BAG3 protects bovine papillomavirus type 1-transformed equine fibroblasts against pro-death signals. Vet Res 2013 Jul 22;44(1):61.
- Corteggio A, Altamura G, Roperto F, Borzacchiello G. Bovine papillomavirus E5 and E7 oncoproteins in naturally occurring tumors: are two better than one?. Infect Agent Cancer 2013 Jan 9;8(1):1.
- Hainisch EK, Brandt S, Shafti-Keramat S, Van den Hoven R, Kirnbauer R. Safety and immunogenicity of BPV-1 L1 virus-like particles in a dose-escalation vaccination trial in horses. Equine Vet J 2012 Jan;44(1):107-11.
- Hartl B, Hainisch EK, Shafti-Keramat S, Kirnbauer R, Corteggio A, Borzacchiello G, Tober R, Kainzbauer C, Pratscher B, Brandt S. Inoculation of young horses with bovine papillomavirus type 1 virions leads to early infection of PBMCs prior to pseudo-sarcoid formation. J Gen Virol 2011 Oct;92(Pt 10):2437-2445.
- Cutarelli A, Buonavoglia A, Fusco G, Pellicanò R, Napoletano M, Brandt S, Roperto S. Accurate identification of bovine deltapapillomavirus in equine sarcoids by ddPCR. Sci Rep 2025 Aug 11;15(1):29414.
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