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Atkins HM, Uslu AA, Li JJ, Shearer DA, Brendle SA, Han C, Kozak M, Lopez P, Nayar D, Balogh KK, Abendroth C, Copper J, Cheng KC, Christensen ND, Zhu Y, Avril S, Burgener AD, Murooka TT, Hu J. Monitoring mouse papillomavirus-associated cancer development using longitudinal Pap smear screening. mBio 2024; 15:e0142024. [PMID: 39012151 PMCID: PMC11323795 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01420-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
A substantial percentage of the population remains at risk for cervical cancer due to pre-existing human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, despite prophylactic vaccines. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better disease outcomes. The development of new treatments heavily relies on suitable preclinical model systems. Recently, we established a mouse papillomavirus (MmuPV1) model that is relevant to HPV genital pathogenesis. In the current study, we validated the use of Papanicolaou (Pap) smears, a valuable early diagnostic tool for detecting HPV cervical cancer, to monitor disease progression in the MmuPV1 mouse model. Biweekly cervicovaginal swabs were collected from the MmuPV1-infected mice for viral DNA quantitation and cytology assessment. The Pap smear slides were evaluated for signs of epithelial cell abnormalities using the 2014 Bethesda system criteria. Tissues from the infected mice were harvested at various times post-viral infection for additional histological and virological assays. Over time, increased viral replication was consistent with higher levels of viral DNA, and it coincided with an uptick in epithelial cell abnormalities with higher severity scores noted as early as 10 weeks after viral infection. The cytological results also correlated with the histological evaluation of tissues harvested simultaneously. Both immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cytology also developed vaginal SCCs. Notably, samples from the MmuPV1-infected mice exhibited similar cellular abnormalities compared to the corresponding human samples at similar disease stages. Hence, Pap smear screening proves to be an effective tool for the longitudinal monitoring of disease progression in the MmuPV1 mouse model. IMPORTANCE Papanicolaou (Pap) smear has saved millions of women's lives as a valuable early screening tool for detecting human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical precancers and cancer. However, more than 200,000 women in the United States alone remain at risk for cervical cancer due to pre-existing HPV infection-induced precancers, as there are currently no effective treatments for HPV-associated precancers and cancers other than invasive procedures including a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to remove abnormal tissues. In the current study, we validated the use of Pap smears to monitor disease progression in our recently established mouse papillomavirus model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides compelling evidence of applying Pap smears from cervicovaginal swabs to monitor disease progression in mice. This HPV-relevant cytology assay will enable us to develop and test novel antiviral and anti-tumor therapies using this model to eliminate HPV-associated diseases and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Atkins
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Comparative Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aysegul Aksakal Uslu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Comparative Medicine, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jingwei J. Li
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Debra A. Shearer
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarah A. Brendle
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chen Han
- TEM facility, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael Kozak
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul Lopez
- Department of Immunology, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Deesha Nayar
- Department of Immunology, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Karla K. Balogh
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Catherine Abendroth
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jean Copper
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Keith C. Cheng
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Neil D. Christensen
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yusheng Zhu
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stefanie Avril
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Adam D. Burgener
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas T. Murooka
- Department of Immunology, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jiafen Hu
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pathology and laboratory medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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Luna AJ, Young JM, Sterk RT, Bondu V, Schultz FA, Kusewitt DF, Kang H, Ozbun MA. The antiviral effects of a MEK1/2 inhibitor promote tumor regression in a preclinical model of human papillomavirus infection-induced tumorigenesis. Antiviral Res 2023; 216:105667. [PMID: 37429527 PMCID: PMC10530289 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a significant public health concern due to their widespread transmission, morbidity, and oncogenic potential. Despite efficacious vaccines, millions of unvaccinated individuals and those with existing infections will develop HPV-related diseases for the next two decades and beyond. The continuing burden of HPV-related diseases is exacerbated by the lack of effective therapies or cures for infections, highlighting the need to identify and develop antivirals. The experimental murine papillomavirus type 1 (MmuPV1) model provides opportunities to study papillomavirus pathogenesis in cutaneous epithelium, the oral cavity, and the anogenital tract. However, to date the MmuPV1 infection model has not been used to demonstrate the effectiveness of potential antivirals. We previously reported that inhibitors of cellular MEK/ERK signaling suppress oncogenic HPV early gene expression in three-dimensional tissue cultures. Herein, we adapted the MmuPV1 infection model to determine whether MEK inhibitors have anti-papillomavirus properties in vivo. We demonstrate that oral delivery of a MEK1/2 inhibitor promotes papilloma regression in immunodeficient mice that otherwise would have developed persistent infections. Quantitative histological analyses reveal that inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling reduces E6/E7 mRNA, MmuPV1 DNA, and L1 protein expression within MmuPV1-induced lesions. These data suggest that MEK1/2 signaling is essential for both early and late MmuPV1 replication events supporting our previous findings with oncogenic HPVs. We also provide evidence that MEK inhibitors protect mice from developing secondary tumors. Thus, our data suggest that MEK inhibitors have potent antiviral and anti-tumor properties in a preclinical mouse model and merit further investigation as papillomavirus antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian J Luna
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Jesse M Young
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Rosa T Sterk
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Virginie Bondu
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Fred A Schultz
- Department of Pathology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Donna F Kusewitt
- Department of Pathology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA; The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Huining Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA; The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Michelle A Ozbun
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA; The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
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3
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Luna AJ, Young JM, Sterk RT, Bondu V, Schultz FA, Kusewitt DF, Kang H, Ozbun MA. Inhibition of Cellular MEK/ERK Signaling Suppresses Murine Papillomavirus Type 1 Replicative Activities and Promotes Tumor Regression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.14.532042. [PMID: 36993217 PMCID: PMC10054951 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a significant public health concern due to their widespread transmission, morbidity, and oncogenic potential. Despite efficacious vaccines, millions of unvaccinated individuals and those with existing infections will develop HPV-related diseases for the next two decades. The continuing burden of HPV-related diseases is exacerbated by the lack of effective therapies or cures for most infections, highlighting the need to identify and develop antivirals. The experimental murine papillomavirus type 1 (MmuPV1) model provides opportunities to study papillomavirus pathogenesis in cutaneous epithelium, the oral cavity, and the anogenital tract. However, to date the MmuPV1 infection model has not been used to demonstrate the effectiveness of potential antivirals. We previously reported that inhibitors of cellular MEK/ERK signaling suppress oncogenic HPV early gene expression in vitro . Herein, we adapted the MmuPV1 infection model to determine whether MEK inhibitors have anti-papillomavirus properties in vivo . We demonstrate that oral delivery of a MEK1/2 inhibitor promotes papilloma regression in immunodeficient mice that otherwise would have developed persistent infections. Quantitative histological analyses revealed that inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling reduces E6/E7 mRNAs, MmuPV1 DNA, and L1 protein expression within MmuPV1-induced lesions. These data suggest that MEK1/2 signaling is essential for both early and late MmuPV1 replication events supporting our previous findings with oncogenic HPVs. We also provide evidence that MEK inhibitors protect mice from developing secondary tumors. Thus, our data suggest that MEK inhibitors have potent anti-viral and anti-tumor properties in a preclinical mouse model and merit further investigation as papillomavirus antiviral therapies. Significance Statement Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections cause significant morbidity and oncogenic HPV infections can progress to anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Despite the availability of effective prophylactic HPV vaccines, millions of unvaccinated individuals, and those currently infected will develop HPV-related diseases over the next two decades and beyond. Thus, it remains critical to identify effective antivirals against papillomaviruses. Using a mouse papillomavirus model of HPV infection, this study reveals that cellular MEK1/2 signaling supports viral tumorigenesis. The MEK1/2 inhibitor, trametinib, demonstrates potent antiviral activities and promotes tumor regression. This work provides insight into the conserved regulation of papillomavirus gene expression by MEK1/2 signaling and reveals this cellular pathway as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of papillomavirus diseases.
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Gunder LC, Johnson HR, Yao E, Moyer TH, Green HA, Sherer N, Zhang W, Carchman EH. Topical Protease Inhibitor Decreases Anal Carcinogenesis in a Transgenic Mouse Model of HPV Anal Disease. Viruses 2023; 15:v15041013. [PMID: 37112993 PMCID: PMC10146494 DOI: 10.3390/v15041013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Anal cancer is a major health problem. This study seeks to determine if the topical protease inhibitor Saquinavir (SQV), is effective at the prevention of anal cancer in transgenic mice with established anal dysplasia. K14E6/E7 mice were entered into the study when the majority spontaneously developed high-grade anal dysplasia. To ensure carcinoma development, a subset of the mice was treated with a topical carcinogen: 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Treatment groups included: no treatment, DMBA only, and topical SQV with/without DMBA. After 20 weeks of treatment, anal tissue was harvested and evaluated histologically. SQV was quantified in the blood and anal tissue, and tissue samples underwent analysis for E6, E7, p53, and pRb. There was minimal systemic absorption of SQV in the sera despite high tissue concentrations. There were no differences in tumor-free survival between SQV-treated and respective control groups but there was a lower grade of histological disease in the mice treated with SQV compared to those untreated. Changes in E6 and E7 levels with SQV treatment suggest that SQV may function independently of E6 and E7. Topical SQV decreased histological disease progression in HPV transgenic mice with or without DMBA treatment without local side effects or significant systemic absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Gunder
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Hillary R Johnson
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Evan Yao
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Tyra H Moyer
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Heather A Green
- Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Nathan Sherer
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research and Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 3170 UW Medical Foundation Centennial Building (MFCB), 1685 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Evie H Carchman
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA
- Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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Gunder LC, Johnson HR, Green HA, Bilger A, Moyer TH, Zhang W, Ziolkowski MR, Bertrang PA, Carchman EH. The use of a topical protease inhibitor, Saquinavir, to alleviate mouse papillomavirus-mediated anal disease. Virology 2022; 576:96-104. [PMID: 36206607 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Select protease inhibitors (PI) have been found to be effective in decreasing human papillomavirus oncoprotein expression. This study evaluated whether the topical PI, Saquinavir (SQV), promotes viral clearance in an infectious mouse model with Mus musculus papillomavirus 1 (MmuPV1). NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice were anally infected with ∼4 × 108 viral genome equivalents of MmuPV1 and 120 days post-infection (when majority have high-grade anal dysplasia), began topical treatments: control (mock), 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) only, once weekly to promote carcinogenesis, 1% SQV only, daily (Monday - Friday), and SQV + DMBA. Viral MmuPV1 load was analyzed from anal lavages pre and post-treatment. Anal tissue was harvested, processed, and evaluated for drug absorption, grade of anal disease, and anal viral RNA. Results suggest that topical SQV promotes decreased viral shedding in female mice treated with SQV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Gunder
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Hillary R Johnson
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Heather A Green
- University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Andrea Bilger
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, 1111 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Tyra H Moyer
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 3170 UW Medical Foundation Centennial Building (MFCB),1685 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Marissa R Ziolkowski
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Payton A Bertrang
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA.
| | - Evie H Carchman
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA; William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, 2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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