EcPV-2 is transcriptionally active in equine SCC but only rarely detectable in swabs and semen from healthy horses.
Abstract: Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are malignant tumours arising from keratinocytes. In horses, there is increasing evidence for Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV-2) being causally involved in SCC development. However, only little is known regarding intralesional transcription of the virus, and sparse information on the incidence of EcPV-2 infection in healthy equids is available so far. Using RT-PCR, total mRNA from 8 EcPV-2 DNA-positive and 1 EcPV-2 negative SCC/SCC precursor lesions was screened for the presence of EcPV-2 E6 and E1 transcripts. Using PCR, we tested 193 sample specimens (30 ocular swabs, 94 genital swabs, 54 semen and 15 milk samples) from a total of 161 apparently healthy horses for the presence of EcPV-2 genes E7 and E6 or E2. Positive results were confirmed by repeating the PCR reactions, and by amplicon sequencing. E6 mRNA was detectable in 8/8 EcPV-2 DNA-positive lesions, whereas only 3/8 scored positive for E1 mRNA. EcPV-2 PCR scored positive for DNA from 1/30 ocular swabs, 4/94 genital swabs, 0/54 semen and 0/15 milk samples, thus resulting in an overall detection rate of 5/193, i.e. 2.6%. The demonstrated presence of viral mRNA in all EcPV-2 DNA-positive lesions is suggestive for an active pathogenic role of the virus in SCC development. This finding and the low incidence of EcPV-2 DNA in healthy equids further strengthen the concept of an aetiologic association of EcPV-2 with equine SCC disease.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-02-14 PubMed ID: 22386674DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.02.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study finds that the Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV-2) active in equine squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) is rarely found in healthy horses. The research provides evidence for the assumption that EcPV-2 plays a pathogenic role in SCC development in horses.
Background and Objective
- The primary focus of the research was on Equus caballus papillomavirus type 2 (EcPV-2), which appears to be significantly involved in the development of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in horses.
- Very little is known about intralesional transcription of EcPV-2 and the frequency of EcPV-2 infection in healthy horses.
- The study aimed to provide more information regarding these areas to strengthen understanding of the potential role of EcPV-2 in SCC development in horses.
Methodology
- The researchers used Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to screen a total of mRNA from nine SCC/SCC precursor lesions for the presence of EcPV-2 E6 and E1 transcripts.
- They also tested 193 samples from healthy horses for the presence of EcPV-2 genes E7 and E6 or E2 using PCR. These samples included ocular swabs, genital swabs, semen, and milk samples.
- Positive results were further confirmed by repeating the PCR reactions and sequencing the amplicon.
Findings
- The study showed that E6 mRNA was detectable in all of the EcPV-2 DNA-positive lesions, whereas only some scored positive for E1 mRNA.
- EcPV-2 PCR scored positive for DNA in a small number of the samples taken from healthy horses, resulting in an overall detection rate of 2.6%.
Conclusion
- The research demonstrates that viral mRNA is present in all EcPV-2 DNA-positive lesions, suggesting an active pathogenic role for the virus in SCC development.
- Furthermore, the low incidence rate of EcPV-2 DNA found in healthy horses strengthens the concept that EcPV-2 has a strong association with equine SCC disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Sykora S, Samek L, Schönthaler K, Palm F, Borzacchiello G, Aurich C, Brandt S.
(2012).
EcPV-2 is transcriptionally active in equine SCC but only rarely detectable in swabs and semen from healthy horses.
Vet Microbiol, 158(1-2), 194-198.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.02.006 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Large Animal Surgery and Orthopaedics, Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology
- Eye Neoplasms / veterinary
- Eye Neoplasms / virology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses / virology
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral / genetics
- Papillomaviridae / genetics
- RNA, Viral / analysis
- RNA, Viral / genetics
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Semen / virology
- Transcription, Genetic
- Urogenital Neoplasms / veterinary
- Urogenital Neoplasms / virology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Hainisch EK, Jindra C, Kirnbauer R, Brandt S. Papillomavirus-like Particles in Equine Medicine. Viruses 2023 Jan 25;15(2).
- Miglinci L, Reicher P, Nell B, Koch M, Jindra C, Brandt S. Detection of Equine Papillomaviruses and Gamma-Herpesviruses in Equine Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Pathogens 2023 Jan 23;12(2).
- De Paolis L, De Ciucis CG, Peletto S, Cappelli K, Mecocci S, Nervo T, Guardone L, Crescio MI, Pietrucci D, Fruscione F, Gabbianelli F, Turco S, Varello K, Donato GG, Maurella C, Modesto P, Maniaci MG, Chillemi G, Ghelardi A, Razzuoli E. Equus caballus Papillomavirus Type-9 (EcPV9): First Detection in Asymptomatic Italian Horses. Viruses 2022 Sep 15;14(9).
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- Strohmayer C, Klang A, Kummer S, Walter I, Jindra C, Weissenbacher-Lang C, Redmer T, Kneissl S, Brandt S. Tumor Cell Plasticity in Equine Papillomavirus-Positive Versus-Negative Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Pathogens 2022 Feb 18;11(2).
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