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Liu Q, Yu YY, Wang HY. Differences in CpG island distribution between exogenous and endogenous jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus strains. VETERINARY RESEARCH FORUM : AN INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL 2023; 14:531-539. [PMID: 37901353 PMCID: PMC10612397 DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2022.552748.3454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
The jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV), belonging to the betaretrovirus genus of the retroviridae family, includes both exogenous and endogenous jaagsiekte sheep retroviruses (exJSRV and enJSRV, respectively). At the proviral genome level, exJSRV and enJSRV strains have a high degree of similarity with their main variation regions being the LTR, gag, and env genes. In this study, for the first time, we investigated and compared the distribution of CpG islands between these enJSRV and exJSRV strains. Specifically, we analyzed a total of 42 full-length JSRV genomic sequences obtained from the GenBank® database to identify CpG islands in the exJSRV and enJSRV genomes using the MethPrimer software. Our results showed that the CpG islands in the two JSRV strains were mainly distributed in the LTR, gag, and env genes. In exJSRVs, 66.66% (6/9), 33.33% (3/9), and 100% (9/9) of the sequences presented at least one CpG island in LTR, gag, env genes, respectively, and for enJSRVs, 84.84% (28/33), 57.57% (19/33), and 96.96% (32/33) of the sequences presented at least one CpG island in the LTR, gag, and env genes. These findings suggested that the distribution, length, and genetic traits of CpG islands were different for the exJSRV and enJSRV strains. In future, it would be necessary to demonstrate the biological significance of CpG islands within these genes in exJSRV and enJSRV genomes. This will enhance understanding regarding the potential role of CpG islands in epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Liu
- Department of Agricultural Science and Technology, Nanchong Vocational and Technical College, Nanchong, China.
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A Combined Approach for Detection of Ovine Small Ruminant Retrovirus Co-Infections. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020376. [PMID: 36851589 PMCID: PMC9958757 DOI: 10.3390/v15020376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Jaagsiekte retrovirus (JSRV)-induced ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is an important ovine respiratory disease in Switzerland. Furthermore, ovine lungs with OPA frequently exhibited lesions suggestive of maedi-visna virus (MVV) or caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection, indicating that co-morbidities might occur. Lungs and pulmonary lymph nodes were sampled from suspected OPA cases, inflammatory lung lesions and control lungs (total of 110 cases). Tissues were (a) processed for histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and (b) underwent DNA extraction and real-time PCR for JSRV, MVV and CAEV. Peptide sequences were used to generate virus-specific customized polyclonal antibodies. PCR-positive OPA cases and formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded MVV- and CAEV-infected synovial cell pellets served as positive controls. Fifty-two lungs were histologically diagnosed with OPA. Histological evidence of MVV/CAEV infection was detected in 25 lungs. JSRV was detected by PCR in 84% of the suspected OPA cases; six were co-infected with MVV and one with CAEV. MVV was detected by PCR in 14 cases, and four lungs were positive for CAEV. Three lungs had MVV/CAEV co-infection. In IHC, JSRV was detected in 91% of the PCR-positive cases, whereas MVV and CAEV immunoreactivity was seen in all PCR-positive lungs. Although PCR showed a higher sensitivity compared to IHC, the combined approach allows for investigations on viral cell tropism and pathogenic processes in co-morbidities, including their potential interdependency. Furthermore, an immunohistochemical tool for specific differentiation of MVV and/or CAEV infection was implemented.
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Mahmoud NA, Elshafei AM, Almofti YA. A novel strategy for developing vaccine candidate against Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus from the envelope and gag proteins: an in-silico approach. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:343. [PMID: 36085036 PMCID: PMC9463060 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03431-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sheep pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a contagious lung cancer of sheep caused by the Jaagsiekte retrovirus (JSRV). OPA typically has a serious economic impact worldwide. A vaccine has yet to be developed, even though the disease has been globally spread, along with its complications. This study aimed to construct an effective multi-epitopes vaccine against JSRV eliciting B and T lymphocytes using immunoinformatics tools. RESULTS The designed vaccine was composed of 499 amino acids. Before the vaccine was computationally validated, all critical parameters were taken into consideration; including antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and stability. The physiochemical properties of the vaccine displayed an isoelectric point of 9.88. According to the Instability Index (II), the vaccine was stable at 28.28. The vaccine scored 56.51 on the aliphatic index and -0.731 on the GRAVY, indicating that the vaccine was hydrophilic. The RaptorX server was used to predict the vaccine's tertiary structure, the GalaxyWEB server refined the structure, and the Ramachandran plot and the ProSA-web server validated the vaccine's tertiary structure. Protein-sol and the SOLPro servers showed the solubility of the vaccine. Moreover, the high mobile regions in the vaccine's structure were reduced and the vaccine's stability was improved by disulfide engineering. Also, the vaccine construct was docked with an ovine MHC-1 allele and showed efficient binding energy. Immune simulation remarkably showed high levels of immunoglobulins, T lymphocytes, and INF-γ secretions. The molecular dynamic simulation provided the stability of the constructed vaccine. Finally, the vaccine was back-transcribed into a DNA sequence and cloned into a pET-30a ( +) vector to affirm the potency of translation and microbial expression. CONCLUSION A novel multi-epitopes vaccine construct against JSRV, was formed from B and T lymphocytes epitopes, and was produced with potential protection. This study might help in controlling and eradicating OPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuha Amin Mahmoud
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology/ Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, National University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Abdelmajeed M Elshafei
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology/ Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, National University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Yassir A Almofti
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology/ Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, National University, Khartoum, Sudan.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bahri, Khartoum, Sudan.
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Assessment of MDA and 8-OHdG expressions in ovine pulmonary adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence methods. ACTA VET BRNO 2022. [DOI: 10.2754/avb202291030235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to reveal the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in ovine pulmonary adenocarcinomas (OPA) by evaluating malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) expressions by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence methods. Lung tissue samples were collected from 26 sheep brought to the Pathology Department for routine diagnosis. Lung tissues were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, following routine procedures tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Avidin-Biotin Peroxidase method was used as immunohistochemical staining. Indirect immunofluorescence method was applied to the sections. Tumoral cells showed acinar, papillary or mixed type patterns. Only 2 of 20 cases metastasized to regional lymph nodes. All OPAs were immune positive for Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus Capsid Protein (JSRV CA), MDA and 8-OHdG. The control group was negative for JSRV CA, MDA and 8-OHdG expressions. Malondialdehyde and 8-OHdG immune positive cells were statistically increased in the OPA group compared to the control group. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that higher MDA and 8-OHdG expressions in sheep with OPA suggest that OPA may be closely related to lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage.
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Shi W, Jia S, Guan X, Yao X, Pan R, Huang X, Ma Y, Wei J, Xu Y. A survey of jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) infection in sheep in the three northeastern provinces of China. Arch Virol 2021; 166:831-840. [PMID: 33486631 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04919-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ovine pulmonary adenomatosis (OPA) is caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and is a chronic, progressive, and infectious neoplastic lung disease in sheep, which causes significant economic losses to the sheep industry. Neither a vaccine nor serological diagnostic methods to detect OPA are available. We performed a JSRV infection survey in sheep using blood samples (n = 1,372) collected in the three northeastern provinces of China (i.e., Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, and Jilin) to determine JSRV infection status in sheep herds using a real-time PCR assay targeting the gag gene of JSRV. The ovine endogenous retrovirus sequence was successfully amplified in all sheep samples tested (296 from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 255 from Jilin province, and 821 from Heilongjiang province). Subsequently, we attempted to distinguish exogenous JSRV (exJSRV) and endogenous JSRV (enJSRV) infections in these JSRV-positive samples using a combination assay that identifies a ScaI restriction site in an amplified 229-bp fragment of the gag gene of JSRV and a "LHMKYXXM" motif in the cytoplasmic tail region of the JSRV envelope protein. The ScaI restriction site is present in all known oncogenic JSRVs but absent in ovine endogenous retroviruses, while the "LHMKYXXM" motif is in all known exJSRVs but not in enJSRVs. Interestingly, one JSRV strain (HH13) from Heilongjiang province contained the "LHMKYXXM" motif but not the ScaI enzyme site. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain HH13 was closely related to strain enJSRV-21 reported in the USA, indicating that HH13 could be an exogenous virus. Our results provide valuable information for further research on the genetic evolution and pathogenesis of JSRV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Shi
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuo Jia
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueting Guan
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Yao
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Ronghui Pan
- Jilin Province Centre for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinning Huang
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Ma
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Wei
- Technology Center of Harbin Customs, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Yigang Xu
- Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Pharmaceutical Development, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
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Toma C, Bâlteanu VA, Tripon S, Trifa A, Rema A, Amorim I, Pop RM, Popa R, Catoi C, Taulescu M. Exogenous Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus type 2 (exJSRV2) related to ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) in Romania: prevalence, anatomical forms, pathological description, immunophenotyping and virus identification. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:296. [PMID: 32807166 PMCID: PMC7433209 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02521-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) is a neoplastic disease caused by exogenous Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus (exJSRV). The prevalence of JSRV-related OPA in Eastern European countries, including Romania is unknown. We aimed to investigate: the prevalence and morphological features of OPA (classical and atypical forms) in the Transylvania region (Romania), the immunophenotype of the pulmonary tumors and their relationships with exJSRV infection. A total of 2693 adult ewes slaughtered between 2017 and 2019 in two private slaughterhouses from Transylvania region (Romania) was evaluated. Lung tumors were subsequently assessed by cytology, histology, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and DNA testing. RESULTS Out of 2693 examined sheep, 34 had OPA (1.26% prevalence). The diaphragmatic lobes were the most affected. Grossly, the classical OPA was identified in 88.24% of investigated cases and the atypical OPA in 11.76% that included solitary myxomatous nodules. Histopathology results confirmed the presence of OPA in all suspected cases, which were classified into acinar and papillary types. Myxoid growths (MGs) were diagnosed in 6 classical OPA cases and in 2 cases of atypical form. Lung adenocarcinoma was positive for MCK and TTF-1, and MGs showed immunoreaction for Vimentin, Desmin and SMA; Ki67 expression of classical OPA was higher than atypical OPA and MGs. JSRV-MA was identified by IHC (94.11%) in both epithelial and mesenchymal cells of OPA. Immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy also confirmed the JSRV within the neoplastic cells. ExJSRV was identified by PCR in 97.05% of analyzed samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of the exJSRV type 2 (MT809678.1) in Romanian sheep affected by lung cancer and showed a high similarity with the UK strain (AF105220.1). CONCLUSIONS In this study, we confirmed for the first time in Romania the presence of exJSRV in naturally occurring OPA in sheep. Additionally, we described the first report of atypical OPA in Romania, and to the best of our knowledge, in Eastern Europe. Finally, we showed that MGs have a myofibroblastic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Toma
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Calea Manastur, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Valentin Adrian Bâlteanu
- Laboratory of Genomics, Biodiversity, Animal Breeding and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Septiumiu Tripon
- National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technology, "C. Crăciun" Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adrian Trifa
- Department of Genetics, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Genetics, "Ion Chiricuta" Cancer Institute, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandra Rema
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nr.228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Irina Amorim
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nr.228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raluca Maria Pop
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, 400337, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Roxana Popa
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Calea Manastur, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cornel Catoi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Calea Manastur, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Marian Taulescu
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 3-5 Calea Manastur, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Laboratory of Genomics, Biodiversity, Animal Breeding and Molecular Pathology, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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Jahns H, Cousens C. Nasal adenocarcinoma associated with jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus infection in a sheep. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019; 32:152-155. [PMID: 31884891 DOI: 10.1177/1040638719897032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Betaretrovirus-induced transmissible respiratory tumors in sheep arise at 2 distinct anatomic locations, either deep in the lung tissue caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) or in the nasal cavity induced by ovine enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV-1). JSRV and ENTV-1 are found in many countries worldwide and have a significant economic and animal health impact. Although JSRV is endemic in sheep in the British Isles, ENTV-1 has not been reported. We report herein a nasal adenocarcinoma in a cull 8-y-old Belclare ewe from Ireland. The gross and microscopic features and immunohistochemistry results were consistent with an ENTV-1-associated tumor. However, differential PCR, using primers specific to regions of divergent sequence between the viruses, was performed on different parts of the adenocarcinoma and produced consistent results: positive for JSRV and negative for ENTV-1. An association of JSRV with nasal adenocarcinoma in sheep has not been reported previously, to our knowledge. Our case shows the necessity of using PCR in combination with immunohistochemistry to reach an accurate etiologic diagnosis, which is of importance in countries currently free of ENTV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Jahns
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (Jahns).,Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland (Cousens)
| | - Chris Cousens
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (Jahns).,Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland (Cousens)
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Chakraborty S, Kumar A, Tiwari R, Rahal A, Malik Y, Dhama K, Pal A, Prasad M. Advances in diagnosis of respiratory diseases of small ruminants. Vet Med Int 2014; 2014:508304. [PMID: 25028620 PMCID: PMC4082846 DOI: 10.1155/2014/508304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Irrespective of aetiology, infectious respiratory diseases of sheep and goats contribute to 5.6 percent of the total diseases of small ruminants. These infectious respiratory disorders are divided into two groups: the diseases of upper respiratory tract, namely, nasal myiasis and enzootic nasal tumors, and diseases of lower respiratory tract, namely, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), parainfluenza, Pasteurellosis, Ovine progressive pneumonia, mycoplasmosis, caprine arthritis encephalitis virus, caseous lymphadenitis, verminous pneumonia, and many others. Depending upon aetiology, many of them are acute and fatal in nature. Early, rapid, and specific diagnosis of such diseases holds great importance to reduce the losses. The advanced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antigen as well as antibodies directly from the samples and molecular diagnostic assays along with microsatellites comprehensively assist in diagnosis as well as treatment and epidemiological studies. The present review discusses the advancements made in the diagnosis of common infectious respiratory diseases of sheep and goats. It would update the knowledge and help in adapting and implementing appropriate, timely, and confirmatory diagnostic procedures. Moreover, it would assist in designing appropriate prevention protocols and devising suitable control strategies to overcome respiratory diseases and alleviate the economic losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandip Chakraborty
- Animal Resources Development Department, Pt. Nehru Complex, Agartala 799006, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwa Vidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura 281001, India
| | - Ruchi Tiwari
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwa Vidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura 281001, India
| | - Anu Rahal
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Yash Malik
- Division of Standardization, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Amar Pal
- Division of Surgery, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Minakshi Prasad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LLRUVAS), Hisar 125004, India
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Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus detected in human lung cancer tissue arrays. BMC Res Notes 2014; 7:160. [PMID: 24642139 PMCID: PMC3995318 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer and is frequently observed in non-smoking patients. Adenocarcinoma in-situ (formerly referred to as bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) is a subset of lung adenocarcinoma characterized by growth along alveolar septae without evidence of stromal, vascular, or pleural invasion, that disproportionately affects never-smokers, women, and Asians. Adenocarcinoma in-situ is morphologically and histologically similar to a contagious lung neoplasm of sheep called ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA). OPA is caused by infection with the exogenous betaretrovirus, jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV), whose envelope protein (Env) is a potent oncogene. Several studies have reported that a proportion of human lung adenocarcinomas are immunopositive for an antigen related to the Gag protein of JSRV, however other groups have been unable to verify these observations by PCR. Methods Here we examine human lung cancer tissue arrays (TA) for evidence of JSRV Env protein and DNA by immunohistochemical staining and PCR, respectively. Results Our results reveal that a subset of human lung cancers express an antigen that reacts with a JSRV Env-specific monoclonal antibody in immunohistochemistry and that exogenous JSRV-like env and gag sequences can be amplified from TA tumor samples, albeit inefficiently. Conclusions While a causative role has not been established, these data suggest that a JSRV-like virus might infect humans. With next generation sequencing approaches, a JSRV-like virus in human lung cancers may be identified which could have profound implications for prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
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