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Lekshmy M, Dhanya CR, Smrithi JS, Sindhurani JA, Vandanamthadathil JJ, Veettil JT, Anila L, Lathakumari VS, Nayar AM, Madhavan M. Peptide Vaccines as Therapeutic and Prophylactic Agents for Female-Specific Cancers: The Current Landscape. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1054. [PMID: 37513965 PMCID: PMC10383774 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast and gynecologic cancers are significant global threats to women's health and those living with the disease require lifelong physical, financial, and social support from their families, healthcare providers, and society as a whole. Cancer vaccines offer a promising means of inducing long-lasting immune response against the disease. Among various types of cancer vaccines available, peptide vaccines offer an effective strategy to elicit specific anti-tumor immune responses. Peptide vaccines have been developed based on tumor associated antigens (TAAs) and tumor specific neoantigens which can also be of viral origin. Molecular alterations in HER2 and non-HER2 genes are established to be involved in the pathogenesis of female-specific cancers and hence were exploited for the development of peptide vaccines against these diseases, most of which are in the latter stages of clinical trials. However, prophylactic vaccines for viral induced cancers, especially those against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection are well established. This review discusses therapeutic and prophylactic approaches for various types of female-specific cancers such as breast cancer and gynecologic cancers with special emphasis on peptide vaccines. We also present a pipeline for the design and evaluation of a multiepitope peptide vaccine that can be active against female-specific cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manju Lekshmy
- Department of Botany and Biotechnology, St. Xavier's College, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram 695586, Kerala, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Leelamma Anila
- Department of Biochemistry, NSS College, Nilamel, Kollam 691535, Kerala, India
| | - Vishnu Sasidharan Lathakumari
- Department of Biochemistry and Industrial Microbiology, Sree Narayana College for Women, Kollam 691001, Kerala, India
| | - Adhira M Nayar
- Department of Zoology, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram 695004, Kerala, India
| | - Maya Madhavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
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Hochman J, Braitbard O. Life after Cleavage: The Story of a β-Retroviral (MMTV) Signal Peptide-From Murine Lymphoma to Human Breast Cancer. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112435. [PMID: 36366533 PMCID: PMC9694287 DOI: 10.3390/v14112435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing body of evidence in recent years supports an association of the betaretrovirus mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) with human breast cancer. This is an issue that still raises heated controversy. We have come to address this association using the signal peptide p14 of the MMTV envelope precursor protein as a key element of our strategy. In addition to its signal peptide function, p14 has some significant post endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-targeting characteristics: (1) it localizes to nucleoli where it binds key proteins (RPL5 and B23) involved (among other activities) in the regulation of nucleolar stress response, ribosome biogenesis and p53 stabilization; (2) p14 is a nuclear export factor; (3) it is expressed on the cell surface of infected cells, and as such, is amenable to, and successfully used, in preventive vaccination against experimental tumors that harbor MMTV; (4) the growth of such tumors is impaired in vivo using a combination of monoclonal anti-p14 antibodies or adoptive T-cell transfer treatments; (5) p14 is a phospho-protein endogenously phosphorylated by two different serine kinases. The phosphorylation status of the two sites determines whether p14 will function in an oncogenic or tumor-suppressing capacity; (6) transcriptional activation of genes (RPL5, ErbB4) correlates with the oncogenic potential of MMTV; (7) finally, polyclonal anti-p14 antibodies have been applied in immune histochemistry analyses of breast cancer cases using formalin fixed paraffin-embedded sections, supporting the associations of MMTV with the disease. Taken together, the above findings constitute a road map towards the diagnosis and possible prevention and treatment of MMTV-associated breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Hochman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-54-441-4370
| | - Ori Braitbard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
- Department of Bioinformatics, The Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Jerusalem College of Technology, Jerusalem 9372115, Israel
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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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Parisi F, Lessi F, Menicagli M, Civita P, Liotti R, Millanta F, Freer G, Pistello M, Mazzanti CM, Poli A. Presence of a mouse mammary tumour virus-like in feline lymphomas: a preliminary study. Infect Agent Cancer 2022; 17:35. [PMID: 35739602 PMCID: PMC9219121 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-022-00449-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) is implicated in the aetiology of murine mammary carcinomas and a variant of it, the type B leukemogenic virus, can cause murine thymic lymphomas. Interestingly, a MMTV-like virus is suspected to be involved in human breast cancer and feline mammary carcinomas. However, to date, no cases of MMTV-like sequence amplifications have been described in lymphoid neoplasms in veterinary literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of env nucleotide sequences and protein 14 (p14) of a MMTV-like virus in fifty-three feline lymphoma samples. Our results show that MMTV-like sequences were detected in 5/53 tumours (9.4%): three gastrointestinal lymphomas (one B-type diffuse large, one B-type small non-cleaved, and one T-type diffuse mixed lymphoma); and two nasal lymphomas (one B-type diffuse small cleaved lymphoma and one B-type diffuse mixed lymphoma). P14 expression was detected in the cytoplasm, and rarely in nuclei, exclusively of neoplastic cells from PCR-positive tumours. The correlation between the presence of the MMTV-env like sequences (MMTVels) and p14 antigen was statistically significant in nasal lymphomas. All cats with MMTVels-positive lymphoma had a history of contact with the outdoor environment and/or catteries, and two deceased subjects shared their environment with cats that also died of lymphoma. In conclusion, this study succeeds in demonstrating the presence of MMTVels and p14 in feline lymphomas. The characterization of the immunophenotype of MMTVels-positive lymphomas could contribute to the understanding of a possible role of a MMTV-like virus in feline tumour aetiology. The significant association between the presence of the viral sequences in lymphoid tumours and their nasal localization, together with the data collected through supplementary anamnesis, should be further analysed in order to understand the epidemiology of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Parisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Prospero Civita
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Francesca Millanta
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Freer
- Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Poli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge, 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
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Parisi F, Freer G, Mazzanti CM, Pistello M, Poli A. Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) and MMTV-like Viruses: An In-depth Look at a Controversial Issue. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050977. [PMID: 35632719 PMCID: PMC9147501 DOI: 10.3390/v14050977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery as a milk factor, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been shown to cause mammary carcinoma and lymphoma in mice. MMTV infection depends upon a viral superantigen (sag)-induced immune response and exploits the immune system to establish infection in mammary epithelial cells when they actively divide. Simultaneously, it avoids immune responses, causing tumors through insertional mutagenesis and clonal expansion. Early studies identified antigens and sequences belonging to a virus homologous to MMTV in human samples. Several pieces of evidence fulfill a criterion for a possible causal role for the MMTV-like virus in human breast cancer (BC), though the controversy about whether this virus was linked to BC has raged for over 40 years in the literature. In this review, the most important issues related to MMTV, from its discovery to the present days, are retraced to fully explore such a controversial issue. Furthermore, the hypothesis of an MMTV-like virus raised the question of a potential zoonotic mouse–man transmission. Several studies investigate the role of an MMTV-like virus in companion animals, suggesting their possible role as mediators. Finally, the possibility of an MMTV-like virus as a cause of human BC opens a new era for prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Parisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge, 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Giulia Freer
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Chiara Maria Mazzanti
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Via Ferruccio Giovannini, 13, 56017 San Giuliano Terme, Italy;
| | - Mauro Pistello
- Dipartimento di Ricerca Traslazionale e delle Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.F.); (M.P.)
| | - Alessandro Poli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Viale Delle Piagge, 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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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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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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Lessi F, Grandi N, Mazzanti CM, Civita P, Scatena C, Aretini P, Bandiera P, Fornaciari A, Giuffra V, Fornaciari G, Naccarato AG, Tramontano E, Bevilacqua G. A human MMTV-like betaretrovirus linked to breast cancer has been present in humans at least since the copper age. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:15978-15994. [PMID: 32735554 PMCID: PMC7485742 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The betaretrovirus Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) is the well characterized etiological agent of mammary tumors in mice. In contrast, the etiology of sporadic human breast cancer (BC) is unknown, but accumulating data indicate a possible viral origin also for these malignancies. The presence of MMTVenv-like sequences (MMTVels) in the human salivary glands and saliva supports the latter as possible route of inter-human dissemination. In the absence of the demonstration of a mouse-man transmission of MMTV, we considered the possibility that a cross-species transmission could have occurred in ancient times. Therefore, we investigated MMTVels in the ancient dental calculus, which originates from saliva and is an excellent material for paleovirology. The calculus was collected from 36 ancient human skulls, excluding any possible mouse contamination. MMTV-like sequences were identified in the calculus of 6 individuals dated from the Copper Age to the 17th century. The MMTV-like sequences were compared with known human endogenous betaretroviruses and with animal exogenous betaretroviruses, confirming their exogenous origin and relation to MMTV. These data reveal that a human exogenous betaretrovirus similar to MMTV has existed at least since 4,500 years ago and indirectly support the hypothesis that it could play a role in human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Grandi
- Division of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Prospero Civita
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristian Scatena
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Bandiera
- Center for Anthropological, Paleopathological and Historical Studies of The Sardinian and Mediterranean Populations, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Fornaciari
- Division of Paleopathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Giuffra
- Division of Paleopathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gino Fornaciari
- Division of Paleopathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Giuseppe Naccarato
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Division of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Generoso Bevilacqua
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, "San Rossore" Hospital, Pisa, Italy
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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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Ruggiero E, Tassinari M, Perrone R, Nadai M, Richter SN. Stable and Conserved G-Quadruplexes in the Long Terminal Repeat Promoter of Retroviruses. ACS Infect Dis 2019; 5:1150-1159. [PMID: 31081611 PMCID: PMC6630527 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
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Retroviruses
infect almost all vertebrates, from humans to domestic and farm animals,
from primates to wild animals, where they cause severe diseases, including
immunodeficiencies, neurological disorders, and cancer. Nonhuman retroviruses
have also been recently associated with human diseases. To date, no
effective treatments are available; therefore, finding retrovirus-specific
therapeutic targets is becoming an impelling issue. G-Quadruplexes
are four-stranded nucleic acid structures that form in guanine-rich
regions. Highly conserved G-quadruplexes located in the long-terminal-repeat
(LTR) promoter of HIV-1 were shown to modulate the virus transcription
machinery; moreover, the astonishingly high degree of conservation
of G-quadruplex sequences in all primate lentiviruses corroborates
the idea that these noncanonical nucleic acid structures are crucial
elements in the lentiviral biology and thus have been selected for
during evolution. In this work, we aimed at investigating the presence
and conservation of G-quadruplexes in the Retroviridae family. Genomewide
bioinformatics analysis showed that, despite their documented high
genetic variability, most retroviruses contain highly conserved putative
G-quadruplex-forming sequences in their promoter regions. Biophysical
and biomolecular assays proved that these sequences actually fold
into G-quadruplexes in physiological concentrations of relevant cations
and that they are further stabilized by ligands. These results validate
the relevance of G-quadruplexes in retroviruses and endorse the employment
of G-quadruplex ligands as innovative antiretroviral drugs. This study
indicates new possible pathways in the management of retroviral infections
in humans and animal species. Moreover, it may shed light on the mechanism
and functions of retrovirus genomes and derived transposable elements
in the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Ruggiero
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via Aristide Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Martina Tassinari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via Aristide Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Rosalba Perrone
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, California 94945, United States
| | - Matteo Nadai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via Aristide Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Sara N. Richter
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, via Aristide Gabelli 63, 35121 Padua, Italy
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Lawson JS, Mazzanti C, Civita P, Menicagli M, Ngan CC, Whitaker NJ, Hochman J, Braitbard O, Yosufi B, Glenn WK. Association of Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus With Human Breast Cancer: Histology, Immunohistochemistry and Polymerase Chain Reaction Analyses. Front Oncol 2018; 8:141. [PMID: 29868468 PMCID: PMC5950654 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-associated human breast cancer has the same or similar histology to MMTV-associated mouse mammary tumors. Such associations may indicate a role for MMTV in human breast cancer. Methods Immunohistochemical techniques (using antibodies directed against the signal peptide p14 of the envelope precursor protein of MMTV) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were used to identify MMTV proteins and MMTV-like envelope gene sequences in a series of breast cancers from Australian women. The histological characteristics of these human breast cancer specimens were compared with MMTV positive mouse mammary tumors. The same methods were used to study benign breast tissues which 1–11 years later developed into breast cancer. Results MMTV p14 proteins were identified in 27 (54%) of 50 human breast cancers. MMTV env gene sequences were identified by PCR in 12 (27%) of 45 human breast cancers. There was a significant correlation between the presence of MMTV (identified by p14 immunohistochemistry) in human breast cancers and histological characteristics similar to MMTV positive mouse mammary tumors (p = 0.001). There was a non-significant correlation between the presence of MMTV env gene sequences (identified by PCR) in human breast cancers and histological characteristics similar to MMTV positive mouse mammary tumors (p = 0.290). MMTV p14 proteins were identified in 7 (54%) of 13 benign breast specimens that later developed into human breast cancers. MMTV by PCR was identified in two benign specimens one of whom later developed MMTV positive breast cancer. Discussion These observations offer evidence that MMTV may be associated with characteristic human breast cancer histology. p14-based immunohistochemistry appears to be a more reliable technique than PCR for the identification of MMTV in human breast cancer. Identification of MMTV-associated p14 proteins in benign breast tissues confirms prior PCR-based studies that MMTV infection occurs before the development of MMTV positive breast cancer. Conclusion Many MMTV positive human breast cancers have similar histology to MMTV positive mouse mammary tumors. MMTV infection identified in benign breast tissues precedes development of MMTV positive human breast cancer. When considered in the context of prior studies, these observations indicate a likely role for MMTV in human breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jacob Hochman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ori Braitbard
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benafsha Yosufi
- Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Wendy K Glenn
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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13
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Al Dossary R, Alkharsah KR, Kussaibi H. Prevalence of Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV)-like sequences in human breast cancer tissues and adjacent normal breast tissues in Saudi Arabia. BMC Cancer 2018; 18:170. [PMID: 29426297 PMCID: PMC5810194 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4074-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is considered the most common cancer in women worldwide and is the leading cause of cancer mortality. Sequences similar to Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus (MMTV) were detected in human breast cancer in several studies from different geographical areas. However, the role played by this virus in breast cancer tumorigenesis is not completely understood. These MMTV-like sequences were found to be associated with breast cancer of more malignant types. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of MMTV-like envelope gene (env) positivity in breast cancer and non-cancerous breast tissue from Saudi Arabia. METHODS Detection of MMTV-like env proviral sequences was done using newly designed primers for conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One hundred nighty four samples were collected from 103 females with breast cancer in addition to 51 control breast tissue obtained from individuals without cancer. We additionally investigated the association of proviral positivity with age of the patients, grade of breast cancer and presence of lymph node metastasis. The results were confirmed by sequencing. RESULTS The prevalence of MMTV-like env proviral positivity was 8.7% (9/103). MMTV env proviral sequences were detected in 5.9% (6/101) of breast cancer tissues and 9.7% (9/93) of non-cancerous adjacent tissues obtained from the same patients. None of the 51 control sample showed positive result for the MMTV env gene. No significant association was found between detection of the virus and the age of the patient, grade of the cancer or presence of metastasis. CONCLUSION We document the presence of low frequency of MMTV env provirus sequence among breast cancer patients from Saudi Arabia. Further studies are needed to explore the role of the MMTV in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Al Dossary
- Department of Microbiology, Collage of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), 1982, Dammam, 31441, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Khaled R Alkharsah
- Department of Epidemic Diseases Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haitham Kussaibi
- Department of Pathology, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia
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14
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Yang L, Li Y, Bhattacharya A, Zhang Y. Dual inhibition of ErbB1 and ErbB2 in cancer by recombinant human prolidase mutant hPEPD-G278D. Oncotarget 2018; 7:42340-42352. [PMID: 27286447 PMCID: PMC5173139 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
ErbB1 and ErbB2 are oncogenic cell surface receptor tyrosine kinases, linked to many forms of human cancer, and are major cancer therapeutic targets. Many lines of evidence indicate that targeting ErbB1 and ErbB2 is an important cancer therapeutic approach. We recently found that a recombinant enzymatically-inactive mutant of human prolidase, i.e., hPEPD-G278D, is an inhibitory ligand of ErbB2 and strongly inhibits ErbB2-overexpressing cells in vitro and in vivo. hPEPD-G278D also binds to ErbB1. Here, we show that hPEPD-G278D binds to ErbB1 with high affinity, initially activating ErbB1 but later silencing it, and that deletion of subdomain 2 in ErbB1 extracellular domain abolishes the binding. The proliferation of ErbB1-overexpressing cells is strongly inhibited by hPEPD-G278D, regardless of ErbB2 expression or cell type, whereas cells lacking ErbB1 and ErbB2 are insensitive to it. In contrast, EGF, another ErbB1 ligand, either stimulates or mildly inhibits cell proliferation. Moreover, hPEPD-G278D treatment of mice bearing ErbB1-overexpressing tumors leads to tumor regression, which is accompanied by down regulation and decreased phosphorylation of ErbB1 and ErbB2 as well as decreased phosphorylation of downstream signaling molecules and activation of apoptosis in the tumor tissues. We conclude that hPEPD-G278D is a dual inhibitor of ErbB1 and ErbB2 and selectively targets cancer cells overexpressing ErbB1 and/or ErbB2. Moreover, our finding that both receptors are silenced in cancer cells by hPEPD-G278D highlights an unusual consequence of ligand-receptor interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yang
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Yun Li
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Urology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Arup Bhattacharya
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Yuesheng Zhang
- Departments of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
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15
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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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16
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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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