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The Role of a Betaretrovirus in Human Breast Cancer: Enveloping a Conundrum. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112342. [PMID: 36366440 PMCID: PMC9695795 DOI: 10.3390/v14112342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Most of the evidence that a human betaretrovirus (HBRV/HMTV) highly related to mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) has an etiological role in breast cancer has been summarized in a recent comprehensive Special Issue of "Viruses" entitled "Human Betaretrovirus (HBRV) and Related Diseases". Shortly after publication of this special issue, a detailed analysis of aligned env sequences was published and concluded that (i) MMTV and HBRV/HMTV cannot be distinguished on the basis of aligned env sequences and (ii) more sequence data covering the full-length env or HBRV/HMTV genomes from multiple isolates is needed. Although productive infection of human cells by MMTV (and presumably HBRV/HMTV) has been shown, it is imperative that the receptor(s) enabling HBRV/HMTV to infect human cells are defined. Moreover, there is currently no compelling data for common integration sites, in contrast to MMTV induced mammary tumorigenesis in mice, suggesting that other mechanisms of tumorigenesis are associated with HBRV/HMTV infection. These issues need to be resolved before a clear link between MMTV/HBRV/HMTV and human breast cancer can be concluded.
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Bevilacqua G. The Viral Origin of Human Breast Cancer: From the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) to the Human Betaretrovirus (HBRV). Viruses 2022; 14:v14081704. [PMID: 36016325 PMCID: PMC9412291 DOI: 10.3390/v14081704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A Human Betaretrovirus (HBRV) has been identified in humans, dating as far back as about 4500 years ago, with a high probability of it being acquired by our species around 10,000 years ago, following a species jump from mice to humans. HBRV is the human homolog of the MMTV (mouse mammary tumor virus), which is the etiological agent of murine mammary tumors. The hypothesis of a HMTV (human mammary tumor virus) was proposed about 50 years ago, and has acquired a solid scientific basis during the last 30 years, with the demonstration of a robust link with breast cancer and with PBC, primary biliary cholangitis. This article summarizes most of what is known about MMTV/HMTV/HBRV since the discovery of MMTV at the beginning of last century, to make evident both the quantity and the quality of the research supporting the existence of HBRV and its pathogenic role. Here, it is sufficient to mention that scientific evidence includes that viral sequences have been identified in breast-cancer samples in a worldwide distribution, that the complete proviral genome has been cloned from breast cancer and patients with PBC, and that saliva contains HBRV, as a possible route of inter-human infection. Controversies that have arisen concerning results obtained from human tissues, many of them outdated by new scientific evidence, are critically discussed and confuted.
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Goubran M, Wang W, Indik S, Faschinger A, Wasilenko ST, Bintner J, Carpenter EJ, Zhang G, Nuin P, Macintyre G, Wong GKS, Mason AL. Isolation of a Human Betaretrovirus from Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050886. [PMID: 35632628 PMCID: PMC9146342 DOI: 10.3390/v14050886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A human betaretrovirus (HBRV) has been linked with the autoimmune liver disease, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and various cancers, including breast cancer and lymphoma. HBRV is closely related to the mouse mammary tumor virus, and represents the only exogenous betaretrovirus characterized in humans to date. Evidence of infection in patients with PBC has been demonstrated through the identification of proviral integration sites in lymphoid tissue, the major reservoir of infection, as well as biliary epithelium, which is the site of the disease process. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that patients with PBC harbor a transmissible betaretrovirus by co-cultivation of PBC patients’ lymph node homogenates with the HS578T breast cancer line. Because of the low level of HBRV replication, betaretrovirus producing cells were subcloned to optimize viral isolation and production. Evidence of infection was provided by electron microscopy, RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, cloning of the HBRV proviral genome and demonstration of more than 3400 integration sites. Further evidence of viral transmissibility was demonstrated by infection of biliary epithelial cells. While HBRV did not show a preference for integration proximal to specific genomic features, analyses of common insertion sites revealed evidence of integration proximal to cancer associated genes. These studies demonstrate the isolation of HBRV with features similar to mouse mammary tumor virus and confirm that patients with PBC display evidence of a transmissible viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Goubran
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Stanislav Indik
- Department of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.I.); (A.F.)
| | - Alexander Faschinger
- Department of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria; (S.I.); (A.F.)
| | - Shawn T. Wasilenko
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Jasper Bintner
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Eric J. Carpenter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada;
| | - Guangzhi Zhang
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Paulo Nuin
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada;
| | - Georgina Macintyre
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
| | - Gane K.-S. Wong
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada;
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Andrew L. Mason
- Center of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (M.G.); (W.W.); (S.T.W.); (J.B.); (G.Z.); (G.M.); (G.K.-S.W.)
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(780)-492-8176
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Mouse Mammary Tumour Virus (MMTV) in Human Breast Cancer—The Value of Bradford Hill Criteria. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040721. [PMID: 35458452 PMCID: PMC9028876 DOI: 10.3390/v14040721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
For many decades, the betaretrovirus, mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV), has been a causal suspect for human breast cancer. In recent years, substantial new evidence has been developed. Based on this evidence, we hypothesise that MMTV has a causal role. We have used an extended version of the classic A. Bradford Hill causal criteria to assess the evidence. 1. Identification of MMTV in human breast cancers: The MMTV 9.9 kb genome in breast cancer cells has been identified. The MMTV genome in human breast cancer is up to 98% identical to MMTV in mice. 2. Epidemiology: The prevalence of MMTV positive human breast cancer is about 35 to 40% of breast cancers in Western countries and 15 to 20% in China and Japan. 3. Strength of the association between MMTV and human breast cancer: Consistency—MMTV env gene sequences are consistently five-fold higher in human breast cancer as compared to benign and normal breast controls. 4. Temporality (timing) of the association: MMTV has been identified in benign and normal breast tissues up to 10 years before the development of MMTV positive breast cancer in the same patient. 5. Exposure: Exposure of humans to MMTV leads to development of MMTV positive human breast cancer. 6. Experimental evidence: MMTVs can infect human breast cells in culture; MMTV proteins are capable of malignantly transforming normal human breast epithelial cells; MMTV is a likely cause of biliary cirrhosis, which suggests a link between MMTV and the disease in humans. 7. Coherence—analogy: The life cycle and biology of MMTV in humans is almost the same as in experimental and feral mice. 8. MMTV Transmission: MMTV has been identified in human sputum and human milk. Cereals contaminated with mouse fecal material may transmit MMTV. These are potential means of transmission. 9. Biological plausibility: Retroviruses are the established cause of human cancers. Human T cell leukaemia virus type I (HTLV-1) causes adult T cell leukaemia, and human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) is associated with lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma. 10. Oncogenic mechanisms: MMTV oncogenesis in humans probably differs from mice and may involve the enzyme APOBEC3B. Conclusion: In our view, the evidence is compelling that MMTV has a probable causal role in a subset of approximately 40% of human breast cancers.
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Kato I, Zhang J, Sun J. Bacterial-Viral Interactions in Human Orodigestive and Female Genital Tract Cancers: A Summary of Epidemiologic and Laboratory Evidence. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:425. [PMID: 35053587 PMCID: PMC8773491 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, have been linked to pathogenesis of human cancers, whereas viruses and bacteria account for more than 99% of infection associated cancers. The human microbiome consists of not only bacteria, but also viruses and fungi. The microbiome co-residing in specific anatomic niches may modulate oncologic potentials of infectious agents in carcinogenesis. In this review, we focused on interactions between viruses and bacteria for cancers arising from the orodigestive tract and the female genital tract. We examined the interactions of these two different biological entities in the context of human carcinogenesis in the following three fashions: (1) direct interactions, (2) indirect interactions, and (3) no interaction between the two groups, but both acting on the same host carcinogenic pathways, yielding synergistic or additive effects in human cancers, e.g., head and neck cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, and cervical cancer. We discuss the progress in the current literature and summarize the mechanisms of host-viral-bacterial interactions in various human cancers. Our goal was to evaluate existing evidence and identify gaps in the knowledge for future directions in infection and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikuko Kato
- Department of Oncology and Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Jilei Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jun Sun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- UIC Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Abstract
Abstract We have considered viruses and their contribution to breast cancer. Mouse mammary tumour virus The prevalence of mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) is 15-fold higher in human breast cancer than in normal and benign human breast tissue controls. Saliva is the most plausible means of transmission. MMTV has been identified in dogs, cats, monkeys, mice and rats. The causal mechanisms include insertional oncogenesis and mutations in the protective enzyme ABOBEC3B. Human papilloma virus The prevalence of high risk human papilloma viruses (HPV) is frequently six fold higher in breast cancer than in normal and benign breast tissue controls. Women who develop HPV associated cervical cancer are at higher than normal risk of developing HPV associated breast cancer. Koilocytes have been identified in breast cancers which is an indication of HPV oncogenicity. The causal mechanisms of HPVs in breast cancer appear to differ from cervical cancer. Sexual activity is the most common form of HPV transmission. HPVs are probably transmitted from the cervix to the breast by circulating extra cellular vesicles. Epstein Barr virus The prevalence of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is five fold higher in breast cancer than in normal and benign breast tissue controls. EBV is mostly transmitted from person to person via saliva. EBV infection predisposes breast epithelial cells to malignant transformation through activation of HER2/HER3 signalling cascades. EBV EBNA genes contribute to tumour growth and metastasis and have the ability to affect the mesenchymal transition of cells. Bovine leukemia virus Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infects beef and dairy cattle and leads to various cancers. The prevalence of BLV is double in human breast cancers compared to controls. Breast cancer is more prevalent in red meat eating and cow’s milk consuming populations. BLV may be transmitted to humans from cattle by the consumption of red meat and cow’s milk. Conclusion The evidence that MMTV, high risk HPVs and EBVs have causal roles in human breast cancer is compelling. The evidence with respect to BLV is more limited but it is likely to also have a causal role in human breast cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13027-021-00366-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Lawson
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Wendy K Glenn
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Lawson JS, Glenn WK. Evidence for a causal role by mouse mammary tumour-like virus in human breast cancer. NPJ Breast Cancer 2019; 5:40. [PMID: 31728407 PMCID: PMC6838066 DOI: 10.1038/s41523-019-0136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We have reviewed the evidence relevant to mouse mammary tumour viruses (MMTV) and human breast cancer. The prevalence of MMTV- like gene sequences is 15-fold higher in human breast cancer than in normal human breast tissue controls and is present in up to 40% of human breast cancers. MMTV-like gene sequences can be identified in benign breast tissues 1-11 years before the development of positive MMTV-like breast cancer in the same women. The prevalence of MMTV antibodies in sera from women with breast cancer is 5-fold higher than in normal women. MMTV can infect human breast epithelial cells and integrate at random into the human genome located in those cells. MMTV-like gene sequences are present in human milk from normal lactating women and with increased prevalence in milk from women at risk of breast cancer. MMTV-like virus associated human breast cancer has strikingly similar features to MMTV-associated mouse mammary tumours. These features include almost identical nucleotide sequences and structure of the MMTV genome, histology, superantigen expression, MMTV infection of B and T lymphocytes and hormone dependence. MMTV-like gene sequences have also been identified in dogs, cats, monkeys, mice and rats. Saliva has been identified as the most plausible means of transmission from human to human and possibly from dogs to humans. The evidence meets the classic causal criteria. A causal role for MMTV-like viruses in human breast cancer is highly likely.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S. Lawson
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Wendy K. Glenn
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia
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Naccarato AG, Lessi F, Zavaglia K, Scatena C, Al Hamad MA, Aretini P, Menicagli M, Roncella M, Ghilli M, Caligo MA, Mazzanti CM, Bevilacqua G. Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) - like exogenous sequences are associated with sporadic but not hereditary human breast carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:7236-7241. [PMID: 31518337 PMCID: PMC6756874 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
The inheritance of mutated suppressor genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, is acknowledged as an etiological factor in hereditary breast carcinoma (HBC). Two different molecular mechanisms are possible; the Knudson's "two hits" or the gene haploinsufficiency. Etiology of sporadic breast carcinoma (SBC) is not known, although data support the possible role of the betaretrovirus Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV). This study analyzes the presence of MMTV exogenous sequences in two representative groups of HBC and SBC, excluding any contamination by murine and retroviral material and endogenous betaretroviruses. The 30.3% of 56 SBC contained MMTV sequences, against the 4.2% of 47 HBC (p < 0.001). Cases positive for viral sequences showed the presence of p14, signal peptide of the MMTV envelope precursor. This result was expected based on the fact that HBCs, having a specific genetic etiology, do not need the action of a carcinogenetic viral agent. Moreover, the striking results obtained by comparing two groups of vastly different tumors represent an additional element of quality control: the distinction between HBC and SBC is so well-defined that results cannot be ascribed to mere coincidence. This paper strengthens the hypothesis for a viral etiology for human sporadic breast carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Giuseppe Naccarato
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Katia Zavaglia
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristian Scatena
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mohammad A. Al Hamad
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Manuela Roncella
- Division of Surgery, Breast Center, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Matteo Ghilli
- Division of Surgery, Breast Center, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Adelaide Caligo
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Generoso Bevilacqua
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
- “San Rossore” Hospital – Casa di Cura “San Rossore”, Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
The human betaretrovirus and the closely related mouse mammary tumor virus have been linked with the development of cholangitis and mitochondrial antibody production in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and mouse models of autoimmune biliary disease, respectively. In vitro, betaretroviruses have been found to stimulate the expression of mitochondrial autoantigens on the cell surface of biliary epithelial cells. In vivo, both mitochondrial autoantigens and viral proteins have been shown to be co-expressed in biliary epithelium and lymphoid tissue. Notably, both mice and humans make poor antibody responses to betaretrovirus infection, whereas proinflammatory responses to viral proteins have been observed in T lymphocyte studies. Furthermore, proviral integration studies have confirmed the presence of human betaretrovirus in biliary epithelium of patients with PBC. Preliminary proof of principal studies using combination antiretroviral therapy have shown that suppression of viral expression is associated with sustained biochemical response. As the previous regimen used was poorly tolerated, further randomized controlled trials are planned to determine whether betaretrovirus infection plays an important role in the development of PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew L Mason
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada.
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Lawson JS, Salmons B, Glenn WK. Oncogenic Viruses and Breast Cancer: Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV), Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Front Oncol 2018; 8:1. [PMID: 29404275 PMCID: PMC5786831 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although the risk factors for breast cancer are well established, namely female gender, early menarche and late menopause plus the protective influence of early pregnancy, the underlying causes of breast cancer remain unknown. The development of substantial recent evidence indicates that a handful of viruses may have a role in breast cancer. These viruses are mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV), bovine leukemia virus (BLV), human papilloma viruses (HPVs), and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV-also known as human herpes virus type 4). Each of these viruses has documented oncogenic potential. The aim of this review is to inform the scientific and general community about this recent evidence. The evidence MMTV and human breast cancer—the evidence is detailed and comprehensive but cannot be regarded as conclusive. BLV and human breast cancer—the evidence is limited. However, in view of the emerging information about BLV in human breast cancer, it is prudent to encourage the elimination of BLV in cattle, particularly in the dairy industry. HPVs and breast cancer—the evidence is substantial but not conclusive. The availability of effective preventive vaccines is a major advantage and their use should be encouraged. EBV and breast cancer—the evidence is also substantial but not conclusive. Currently, there are no practical means of either prevention or treatment. Although there is evidence of genetic predisposition, and cancer in general is a culmination of events, there is no evidence that inherited genetic traits are causal. Conclusion The influence of oncogenic viruses is currently the major plausible hypothesis for a direct cause of human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Lawson
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Wendy K Glenn
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Perzova R, Abbott L, Benz P, Landas S, Khan S, Glaser J, Cunningham CK, Poiesz B. Is MMTV associated with human breast cancer? Maybe, but probably not. Virol J 2017; 14:196. [PMID: 29029634 PMCID: PMC5640909 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-017-0862-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conflicting results regarding the association of MMTV with human breast cancer have been reported. Published sequence data have indicated unique MMTV strains in some human samples. However, concerns regarding contamination as a cause of false positive results have persisted. METHODS We performed PCR assays for MMTV on human breast cancer cell lines and fresh frozen and formalin fixed normal and malignant human breast epithelial samples. Assays were also performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from volunteer blood donors and subjects at risk for human retroviral infections. In addition, assays were performed on DNA samples from wild and laboratory mice. Sequencing of MMTV positive samples from both humans and mice were performed and phylogenetically compared. RESULTS Using PCR under rigorous conditions to prevent and detect "carryover" contamination, we did detect MMTV DNA in human samples, including breast cancer. However, the results were not consistent and seemed to be an artifact. Further, experiments indicated that the probable source of false positives was murine DNA, containing endogenous MMTV, present in our building. However, comparison of published and, herein, newly described MMTV sequences with published data, indicates that there are some very unique human MMTV sequences in the literature. CONCLUSION While we could not confirm the true presence of MMTV in our human breast cancer subjects, the data indicate that further, perhaps more traditional, retroviral studies are warranted to ascertain whether MMTV might rarely be the cause of human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raisa Perzova
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA
| | - Lynn Abbott
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA
| | - Patricia Benz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA
| | - Steve Landas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA
| | - Seema Khan
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 250 E Superior, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Jordan Glaser
- Staten Island Hospital, 1408 Richmond Road, Staten Island, NY 10304 USA
| | | | - Bernard Poiesz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 USA
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12
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Konstantoulas CJ, Hagen B, Indik S. Moderate sensitivity of mouse mammary tumour virus to inhibition by human APOBEC3G. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:2362-2367. [PMID: 28809145 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectivity of the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) is inhibited by mouse APOBEC3 (mA3) which is efficiently packaged into virions. As the inhibition is only partial, the virus can replicate in tissues expressing mA3 and complete its replication cycle. Here, we have examined the sensitivity of MMTV to inhibition by a human orthologue of mA3, A3G. We report that the virus containing A3G is only moderately susceptible to inhibition by the human factor. Whereas the vif-deficient HIV-1 vector produced in human epithelial cells expressing endogenous levels of A3G was efficiently inhibited, an MMTV vector remained fully infectious. Greater A3G expression levels were necessary to restrict infectivity of MMTV, but only when the factor retained its deaminase activity. Furthermore, the spreading kinetic of a replication competent MMTV was only moderately accelerated in cells with downmodulated A3G expression. These data suggest that MMTV has evolved a mechanism to neutralize antiviral activity of APOBEC3 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benedikt Hagen
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stanislav Indik
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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13
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Js L, Cc N, Wk G, Dd T. Mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) and human breast cancer with neuroendocrine differentiation. Infect Agent Cancer 2017; 12:24. [PMID: 28523075 PMCID: PMC5434566 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-017-0135-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mouse mammary tumour viruses (MMTVs) may have a role in a subset of human breast cancers. MMTV positive human breast cancers have similar histological characteristics to neuroendocrine breast cancers and to MMTV positive mouse mammary tumours. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of neuroendocrine biomarkers – synaptophysin and chromogranin, to determine if these histological characteristics and biomarker expression were due to the influences of MMTV. Methods Immunohistochemistry analyses to identify synaptophysin and chromogranin were conducted on a series of human breast cancers in which (i) MMTV had been previously identified and had similar histological characteristics to MMTV positive mouse mammary tumours and (ii) MMTV positive mouse mammary tumours. Results The expression of synaptophysin and chromogranin in MMTV positive mouse mammary tumors were all positive (7 of 7 specimens – 100% positive). The expression of synaptophysin and chromogranin in MMTV positive human breast cancers was much less prevalent (3 of 22 – 14%). There was no expression of synaptophysin and chromogranin in the normal breast tissue control specimens. Discussion It is not possible to draw any firm conclusions from these observations. However, despite the small numbers of MMTV positive mouse mammary tumours in this study, the universal expression in these specimens of synaptophysin and chromogranin proteins is striking. This pattern of synaptophysin and chromogranin expression is very different from their expression in MMTV positive human breast cancers. The reason for these differences is not known. Conclusions The high prevalence of positive expression of synaptophysin and chromogranin in MMTV positive mouse mammary tumours and low expression of synaptophysin and chromogranin in MMTV positive human breast cancers indicates that MMTV is not usually associated with neuroendocrine human breast cancers. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13027-017-0135-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawson Js
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ngan Cc
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Glenn Wk
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tran Dd
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Sydney, Australia
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Nartey T, Mazzanti CM, Melana S, Glenn WK, Bevilacqua G, Holland JF, Whitaker NJ, Lawson JS, Pogo BGT. Mouse mammary tumor-like virus (MMTV) is present in human breast tissue before development of virally associated breast cancer. Infect Agent Cancer 2017; 12:1. [PMID: 28053656 PMCID: PMC5209856 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-016-0113-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is substantial evidence that a virus homologous to mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) may have a role in human breast cancer. The present study indicates that those who developed breast cancer associated with an MMTV-like virus had this virus in their non-cancerous breast tissues years before the cancer developed. Methods Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques and sequencing were used to identify MMTV-like envelope gene sequences (MMTV-like env sequences) in Australian benign breast biopsy specimens from women who several years later developed breast cancer. Murine contamination was excluded by stringent laboratory procedures, and the absence of intracisternal A particle sequences and mitochondrial cyclooxygenase sequences. Results MMTV-like env sequences (also called HMTV sequences to denote their source) were found in 9 of 25 breast cancer specimens (36%). Among 25 non-cancerous breast biopsies of these same patients taken 1 to 11 years earlier, six contained MMTV-like sequences (24%). Five of the six were among the nine virally-associated breast cancers. In two pairs of specimens, benign and malignant, env sequences were 97% identical. Conclusions The identification of MMTV (MMTV-like) sequences in breast tissues prior to the development of MMTV positive breast cancer fulfills a key criterion for a possible causal role for the MMTV-like virus in human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teiko Nartey
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | | | - Stella Melana
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| | - Wendy K Glenn
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Noel J Whitaker
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - James S Lawson
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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15
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Abstract
Etiology of human breast cancer is unknown, whereas the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) is recognized as the etiologic agent of mouse mammary carcinoma. Moreover, this experimental model contributed substantially to our understanding of many biological aspects of the human disease. Several data strongly suggest a causative role of MMTV in humans, such as the presence of viral sequences in a high percentage of infiltrating breast carcinoma and in its preinvasive lesions, the production of viral particles in primary cultures of breast cancer, the ability of the virus to infect cells in culture. This paper demonstrates that MMTV is present in human saliva and salivary glands. MMTV presence was investigated by fluorescent PCR, RT-PCR, FISH, immunohistochemistry, and whole transcriptome analysis. Saliva was obtained from newborns, children, adults, and breast cancer patients. The saliva of newborns is MMTV-free, whereas MMTV is present in saliva of children (26.66%), healthy adults (10.60%), and breast cancer patients (57.14% as DNA and 33.9% as RNA). MMTV is also present in 8.10% of salivary glands. RNA-seq analysis performed on saliva of a breast cancer patient demonstrates a high expression of MMTV RNA in comparison to negative controls. The possibility of a contamination by murine DNA was excluded by murine mtDNA and IAP LTR PCR. These findings confirm the presence of MMTV in humans, strongly suggest saliva as route in inter-human infection, and support the hypothesis of a viral origin for human breast carcinoma.
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16
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Cáceres CJ, Contreras N, Angulo J, Vera-Otarola J, Pino-Ajenjo C, Llorian M, Ameur M, Lisboa F, Pino K, Lowy F, Sargueil B, López-Lastra M. Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein binds to the 5' untranslated region of the mouse mammary tumor virus mRNA and stimulates cap-independent translation initiation. FEBS J 2016; 283:1880-901. [PMID: 26972759 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the full-length mRNA of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) harbors an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). In this study, we show that the polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB), an RNA-binding protein with four RNA recognition motifs (RRMs), binds to the MMTV 5' UTR stimulating its IRES activity. There are three isoforms of PTB: PTB1, PTB2, and PTB4. Results show that PTB1 and PTB4, but not PTB2, stimulate MMTV-IRES activity. PTB1 promotes MMTV-IRES-mediated initiation more strongly than PTB4. When expressed in combination, PTB1 further enhanced PTB4 stimulation of the MMTV-IRES, while PTB2 fully abrogates PTB4-induced stimulation. PTB1-induced stimulation of MMTV-IRES was not altered in the presence of PTB4 or PTB2. Mutational analysis reveals that stimulation of MMTV-IRES activity is abrogated when PTB1 is mutated either in RRM1/RRM2 or RRM3/RRM4. In contrast, a PTB4 RRM1/RRM2 mutant has reduced effect over MMTV-IRES activity, while stimulation of the MMTV-IRES activity is still observed when the PTB4 RRM3/RMM4 mutant is used. Therefore, PTB1 and PTB4 differentially stimulate the IRES activity. In contrast, PTB2 acts as a negative modulator of PTB4-induced stimulation of MMTV-IRES. We conclude that PTB1 and PTB4 act as IRES trans-acting factors of the MMTV-IRES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nataly Contreras
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jenniffer Angulo
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge Vera-Otarola
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Constanza Pino-Ajenjo
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Melissa Ameur
- Centre national de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8015, Laboratoire de Cristallographie et RMN Biologique, Université Paris Descartes, France
| | - Francisco Lisboa
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karla Pino
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando Lowy
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bruno Sargueil
- Centre national de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8015, Laboratoire de Cristallographie et RMN Biologique, Université Paris Descartes, France
| | - Marcelo López-Lastra
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigaciones Médicas, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Zhang G, Sharon D, Jovel J, Liu L, Wine E, Tahbaz N, Indik S, Mason A. Pericentriolar Targeting of the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus GAG Protein. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131515. [PMID: 26121257 PMCID: PMC4486188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gag protein of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is the chief determinant of subcellular targeting. Electron microscopy studies show that MMTV Gag forms capsids within the cytoplasm and assembles as immature particles with MMTV RNA and the Y box binding protein-1, required for centrosome maturation. Other betaretroviruses, such as Mason-Pfizer monkey retrovirus (M-PMV), assemble adjacent to the pericentriolar region because of a cytoplasmic targeting and retention signal in the Matrix protein. Previous studies suggest that the MMTV Matrix protein may also harbor a similar cytoplasmic targeting and retention signal. Herein, we show that a substantial fraction of MMTV Gag localizes to the pericentriolar region. This was observed in HEK293T, HeLa human cell lines and the mouse derived NMuMG mammary gland cells. Moreover, MMTV capsids were observed adjacent to centrioles when expressed from plasmids encoding either MMTV Gag alone, Gag-Pro-Pol or full-length virus. We found that the cytoplasmic targeting and retention signal in the MMTV Matrix protein was sufficient for pericentriolar targeting, whereas mutation of the glutamine to alanine at position 56 (D56/A) resulted in plasma membrane localization, similar to previous observations from mutational studies of M-PMV Gag. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy studies showed that MMTV capsids accumulate around centrioles suggesting that, similar to M-PMV, the pericentriolar region may be a site for MMTV assembly. Together, the data imply that MMTV Gag targets the pericentriolar region as a result of the MMTV cytoplasmic targeting and retention signal, possibly aided by the Y box protein-1 required for the assembly of centrosomal microtubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhi Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Sharon
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Juan Jovel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eytan Wine
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nasser Tahbaz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stanislav Indik
- Research Institute for Virology and Biomedicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, A-1210, Austria
| | - Andrew Mason
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
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18
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Konstantoulas CJ, Lamp B, Rumenapf TH, Indik S. Single amino acid substitution (G42E) in the receptor binding domain of mouse mammary tumour virus envelope protein facilitates infection of non-murine cells in a transferrin receptor 1-independent manner. Retrovirology 2015; 12:43. [PMID: 25980759 PMCID: PMC4445801 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-015-0168-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) is a betaretrovirus that infects rodent cells and uses mouse tranferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) for cell entry. Several MMTV strains have been shown to productively infect, in addition to murine cells, various heterologous cell lines including those of human origin, albeit less efficiently than murine cells. Furthermore, there have been reports that the continued passage of MMTV in heterologous cell lines gives rise to novel variants that are able to infect naive non-murine cells with higher efficiency than the parental virus. Results We show that MMTV(C3H), like other MMTV strains, that had undergone a number of replication cycles in non-murine cells displayed an increased replication kinetic, as compared to parental virus, when applied on naive human cells. Sequence analysis of several replication kinetic variants and the parental virus, together with calculation of the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous mutations at individual codons, revealed that several regions within the viral genome were under strong positive selection pressure during viral replication in human cells. The mutation responsible, at least in part, for the phenotypic change was subsequently mapped to the segment of env encoding the receptor binding site (F40HGFR44). Introduction of the identified mutation, leading to single amino acid substitution (G42E), into egfp-containing recombinant MMTV virions enhanced their ability to bind to and infect human cells. Interestingly, neither the replication kinetic mutant nor the parental virus required human TfR1 for infection. Knock-out of TFR1 gene from the human genome did not decrease the susceptibility of Hs578T cells to virus infection. Furthermore, the expression of human TfR1, in contrast to mouse TfR1, did not enhance the susceptibility of MMTV-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cells. Thus, human TfR1 is dispensable for infection and another cell surface molecule mediates the MMTV entry into human cells. Conclusion Taken together, our data explain the mechanism enabling MMTV to form ‘host-range variants’ in non-murine cells that has been known for a long time, the basis of which remained obscure. Our findings may expand our understanding of how viruses gain capability to cross species-specific barriers to infect new hosts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12977-015-0168-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Lamp
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Tillman Hans Rumenapf
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Stanislav Indik
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
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