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Equine veterinary journal2010; 42(8); 738-745; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00311.x

Equus caballus papillomavirus-2 (EcPV-2): an infectious cause for equine genital cancer?

Abstract: The aetiology of genital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in horses remains unknown, but the similarity to the disease in man, for which papillomavirus infection has been shown to be a causal factor, requires to be investigated in horses. Objective: One or more novel papillomaviruses cause equine genital SCC and its associated premalignant lesions. Methods: DNA was extracted from samples of equine genital SCC and performed rolling circle amplification, in order to identify closed circular DNA viral genomes within the samples. The amplified DNA was subcloned and sequenced and the DNA sequence compared to that of other papillomavirus genomes. Using PCR primers developed from these genomic DNA sequences, studies were then carried out in order to identify the frequency at which the viral DNA could be identified in equine genital cancer samples from horses in both the UK, Australia and Austria. Finally, in situ hybridisation using specific probes developed from this DNA sequence were used to confirm the presence of the viral RNA sequences in the neoplastic cells in these lesions. Results: The full length genome of a novel papillomavirus species was characterised from the equine genital SCC tissue and termed Equus caballus papillomavirus-2 (EcPV-2). Viral DNA and RNA was identified in the genital tumour samples, but not in the adjacent histologically normal tissue. EcPV-2 DNA could not be identified in equine ocular or nasal carcinomas or within the scrotal skin or in most smegma samples obtained from tumour-free horses. Sequencing of amplicons, generated from the archived equine genital tumours, identified variations within E1 and E6 on DNA and predicted protein level. Conclusions: A novel papillomavirus, EcPV-2, is likely to play a causal role in the pathogenesis of equine genital epithelial tumours. Conclusions: Identification of a papillomavirus causal for genital carcinomas in horses may lead to development of a vaccine that could be used to prevent this serious disease in horses. This would be analogous to man, where vaccination against oncogenic papillomavirus species is currently being used to help prevent cervical cancer.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2010-11-03 PubMed ID: 21039805DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00311.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on the connection between the presence of Equus caballus papillomavirus-2 (EcPV-2) and the occurrence of genital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in horses, proposing that the virus could be a causal factor of this elusive equine genital cancer.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The study aims to explore whether one or more novel types of papillomavirus, including the newly discovered EcPV-2, can cause equine genital SCC and any related premalignant conditions.
  • The research involved extracting DNA from equine genital SCC samples, and then implementing a process known as rolling circle amplification, which amplifies both linear and circular DNA sequences. It allows researchers to identify potentially infective circular DNA viral genomes within those samples.
  • The amplified DNA was then subcloned and sequenced, allowing for comparison of the DNA sequence with those of other recognized papillomavirus genomes.
  • The researchers used PCR primers developed from these genomic DNA sequences to test equine genital cancer samples obtained from the UK, Australia, and Austria.
  • Lastly, to confirm the presence of the viral RNA sequences in the cancerous cells, in situ hybridisation was used with probes designed from this specific DNA sequence.

Findings

  • The researchers successfully characterised the full-length genome of EcPV-2 from the equine genital SCC tissue. They discovered the presence of viral DNA and RNA in the genital tumour samples, but not in the surrounding normal tissue.
  • EcPV-2 DNA could not be found in other types of equine cancer (ocular or nasal), or in the scrotal skin, or in most smegma samples from horses without tumors.
  • Sequence variations within the E1 and E6 regions on the DNA and predicted protein level were discovered when analyzing amplicons generated from the archived equine genital tumours.

Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that EcPV-2 likely plays a causal role in the development of equine genital epithelial tumours.
  • This finding is significant as it might lead to the development of a vaccine to prevent this serious disease in horses. This strategy mirrors human medicine where vaccination against oncogenic papillomavirus species is currently used to help prevent cervical cancer.

Cite This Article

APA
Scase T, Brandt S, Kainzbauer C, Sykora S, Bijmholt S, Hughes K, Sharpe S, Foote A. (2010). Equus caballus papillomavirus-2 (EcPV-2): an infectious cause for equine genital cancer? Equine Vet J, 42(8), 738-745. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00311.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 8
Pages: 738-745

Researcher Affiliations

Scase, T
  • Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, UK. tim@bridgepathology.com
Brandt, S
    Kainzbauer, C
      Sykora, S
        Bijmholt, S
          Hughes, K
            Sharpe, S
              Foote, A

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / veterinary
                • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology
                • DNA, Viral / genetics
                • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
                • Female
                • Genital Neoplasms, Female / veterinary
                • Genital Neoplasms, Female / virology
                • Genital Neoplasms, Male / veterinary
                • Genital Neoplasms, Male / virology
                • Genome, Viral
                • Horse Diseases / etiology
                • Horses
                • Male
                • Papillomaviridae / classification
                • Papillomaviridae / genetics
                • Papillomaviridae / isolation & purification
                • Phylogeny
                • RNA, Viral / genetics
                • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification

                Grant Funding

                • Wellcome Trust

                Citations

                This article has been cited 26 times.
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