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Polinas M, Cacciotto C, Zobba R, Antuofermo E, Burrai GP, Pirino S, Pittau M, Alberti A. Ovine papillomaviruses: Diversity, pathogenicity, and evolution. Vet Microbiol 2024; 289:109955. [PMID: 38160507 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The family Papillomaviridae includes a plethora of viral species infecting virtually all vertebrates excluding amphibians, with astonishing impact on human and animal health. Although more than 250 species have been described in humans, the total number of papillomaviruses (PVs) discovered in animals does not reach up to this number. In animals, PV infections are mostly asymptomatic or can cause variable clinical conditions ranging from self-limiting papillomas and other cutaneous and mucosal benign lesions to cancer. Most of animal PV types have been discovered in cattle, dogs, horses, and cats with other farm host species remaining overlooked. In particular, the number of PV types so far identified in sheep is limited. This paper comprehensively reviews ovine PVs features, including viral taxonomy and evolution; genome organization; viral tropism and pathogenesis; macroscopical features and histopathological patterns, as well as available diagnostics tools. Data are critically presented and discussed in terms of impact on veterinary and public health. The development of future dedicated research is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Polinas
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Carla Cacciotto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Rosanna Zobba
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Antuofermo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pietro Burrai
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pirino
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Pittau
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Alberto Alberti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy.
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Burrai GP, Gabrieli A, Moccia V, Zappulli V, Porcellato I, Brachelente C, Pirino S, Polinas M, Antuofermo E. A Statistical Analysis of Risk Factors and Biological Behavior in Canine Mammary Tumors: A Multicenter Study. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091687. [PMID: 32961915 PMCID: PMC7552647 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) represent a serious issue in worldwide veterinary practice and several risk factors are variably implicated in the biology of CMTs. The present study examines the relationship between risk factors and histological diagnosis of a large CMT dataset from three academic institutions by classical statistical analysis and supervised machine learning methods. Epidemiological, clinical, and histopathological data of 1866 CMTs were included. Dogs with malignant tumors were significantly older than dogs with benign tumors (9.6 versus 8.7 years, P < 0.001). Malignant tumors were significantly larger than benign counterparts (2.69 versus 1.7 cm, P < 0.001). Interestingly, 18% of malignant tumors were smaller than 1 cm in diameter, providing compelling evidence that the size of the tumor should be reconsidered during the assessment of the TNM-WHO clinical staging. The application of the logistic regression and the machine learning model identified the age and the tumor's size as the best predictors with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 0.63, suggesting that these risk factors are sufficient but not exhaustive indicators of the malignancy of CMTs. This multicenter study increases the general knowledge of the main epidemiologica-clinical risk factors involved in the onset of CMTs and paves the way for further investigations of these factors in association with CMTs and in the application of machine learning technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni P. Burrai
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.P.B.); (A.G.); (S.P.); (M.P.)
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea Gabrieli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.P.B.); (A.G.); (S.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Valentina Moccia
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, AGRIPOLIS–Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro Padua, Italy; (V.M.); (V.Z.)
| | - Valentina Zappulli
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, AGRIPOLIS–Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro Padua, Italy; (V.M.); (V.Z.)
| | - Ilaria Porcellato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (I.P.); (C.B.)
| | - Chiara Brachelente
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy; (I.P.); (C.B.)
| | - Salvatore Pirino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.P.B.); (A.G.); (S.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Marta Polinas
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.P.B.); (A.G.); (S.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Elisabetta Antuofermo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.P.B.); (A.G.); (S.P.); (M.P.)
- Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-079-229-440
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Tore G, Dore GM, Cacciotto C, Accardi R, Anfossi AG, Bogliolo L, Pittau M, Pirino S, Cubeddu T, Tommasino M, Alberti A. Transforming properties of ovine papillomaviruses E6 and E7 oncogenes. Vet Microbiol 2019; 230:14-22. [PMID: 30827380 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies suggest that cutaneous papillomaviruses (PVs) might be involved in skin carcinogenesis. However, only a few animal PVs have been investigated regard to their transformation properties. Here, we investigate and compare the oncogenic potential of 2 ovine Delta and Dyokappa PVs, isolated from ovine skin lesions, in vitro and ex vivo. We demonstrate that both OaPV4 (Delta) and OaPV3 (Dyokappa) E6 and E7 immortalize primary sheep keratinocytes and efficiently deregulate pRb pathway, although they seem unable to alter p53 activity. Moreover, OaPV3 and OaPV4-E6E7 expressing cells show different shape, doubling time, and clonogenic activities, providing evidence for a stronger transforming potential of OaPV3 respect to OaPV4. Also, similarly to high-risk mucosal and cutaneous PVs, the OaPV3-E7 protein, constantly expressed in sheep squamous cell carcinomas, binds pRb with higher affinity compared to the E7 encoded by OaPV4, a virus associated to fibropapilloma. Finally, we found that OaPV3 and OaPV4-E6E7 determine upregulation of the pro-proliferative proteins cyclin A and cdk1 in both human and ovine primary keratinocytes. Collectively, results provide evidence for implication of ovine PVs in cutaneous proliferative lesions and skin cancer progression, and indicate sheep as a possible animal model for the study of cutaneous lesions and malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gessica Tore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Gian Mario Dore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Carla Cacciotto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Rosita Accardi
- Infections and Cancer Biology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Antonio G Anfossi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Luisa Bogliolo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Marco Pittau
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pirino
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cubeddu
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - Massimo Tommasino
- Infections and Cancer Biology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Alberto Alberti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control, University of Sassari, Italy.
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Vitiello V, Burrai GP, Agus M, Anfossi AG, Alberti A, Antuofermo E, Rocca S, Cubeddu T, Pirino S. Ovis aries Papillomavirus 3 in Ovine Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Vet Pathol 2017; 54:775-782. [PMID: 28494708 DOI: 10.1177/0300985817705171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common malignancy affecting humans and other animals. Papillomaviruses (PVs) are frequently reported as causal agents of cutaneous benign and malignant epithelial lesions in different animal species, but only few studies have investigated their role in ovine SCC. In this study, we explore the possible involvement of the Ovine aries PVs (OaPV1, OaPV2, OaPV3) in cutaneous SCC using an integrated histological and molecular approach. Forty cutaneous SCCs from different anatomical locations of Sardinian sheep and 40 matched non-SCC samples were evaluated histologically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess the presence of ovine PVs. In addition, DNA in situ hybridization (ISH) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were carried out to evaluate the cellular localization and viral transcriptional activity, respectively. OaPV3 DNA was detected in 26 of 40 (65%) SCCs and in 12 of 40 (30%) non-SCC samples using PCR. OaPV1 and OaPV2 were not detected. OaPV3 viral DNA was observed by ISH in malignant epithelial squamous cells of 18 of 40 (45%) SCCs. In addition, the viral transcriptional activity was identified in 24 of 40 (60%) SCCs by RT-PCR. Notably, a higher viral positivity was observed in SCCs compared with non-SCC samples. The considerable infection rate of OaPV3 in the most common skin tumor of the sheep suggests that PV could represent a key factor in the onset of ovine SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Vitiello
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni P Burrai
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Sassari, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Agus
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio G Anfossi
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alberto Alberti
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Rocca
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Sassari, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cubeddu
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Sassari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pirino
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Sassari, Italy
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Torres-Rovira L, Gonzalez-Bulnes A, Succu S, Spezzigu A, Manca ME, Leoni GG, Sanna M, Pirino S, Gallus M, Naitana S, Berlinguer F. Predictive value of antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone for follicle and oocyte developmental competence during the early prepubertal period in a sheep model. Reprod Fertil Dev 2015; 26:1094-106. [PMID: 24008140 DOI: 10.1071/rd13190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) are addressed as suitable markers of oocyte quantity and quality during adulthood. To investigate whether AFC and circulating AMH could predict follicle development and oocyte quality during the prepubertal period we used 40-day-old ewe lambs with high, intermediate and low AFC (≥30, 16-29 and≤15 follicles respectively). The analysis of the response to the exogenous FSH ovarian reserve test showed a positive correlation between AFC, AMH plasma levels, total follicle number and the number of large follicles (≥3mm) grown after exogenous FSH administration. The incorporation of abattoir-derived oocytes collected from ovaries with different AFC in an in vitro embryo production system showed that a high AFC can predict oocyte quality in prepubertal ovaries, reflecting an ovarian status suitable for follicular development. The histological quantification of the ovarian reserve evidenced that AFC was not predictive of differences in either the number of healthy follicles or the size of the primordial follicle pool in prepubertal ovaries. Further studies are needed to investigate the implication on the reproductive performance of the significant inter-individual differences found in the present study in AFC and circulating AMH in the early prepubertal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Torres-Rovira
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Sara Succu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Spezzigu
- Embryo Sardegna, Technology, Reproduction and Fertility, 07034 Perfugas, Località Suiles (SS), Italy
| | - Maria E Manca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanni G Leoni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Marina Sanna
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Pirino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Marilia Gallus
- Department of Animal Production, AGRIS Sardegna, Loc. Bonassai S.S. 291 Sassari-Fertilia -Km. 18,600, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Naitana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Berlinguer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Maestrale C, Masia M, Pintus D, Lollai S, Kozel TR, Gates-Hollingsworth MA, Cancedda MG, Cabras P, Pirino S, D'Ascenzo V, Ligios C. Genetic and pathological characteristics of Cryptococcus gattii and Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans from meningoencephalitis in autochthonous goats and mouflons, Sardinia, Italy. Vet Microbiol 2015; 177:409-13. [PMID: 25840469 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we examined in Sardinia the brain of 555 autochthonous sheep, 50 goats, and 4 mouflons which were found affected by neurological signs. We found 6 goats and one mouflon with meningoencephalitis caused by Cryptococcus sp. There was no evidence of cryptococcal infections in any of the examined sheep. MLST genotyping on Cryptococcus sp. isolates identified Cryptococcus gatti genotype AFLP4/VGI and Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans genotype AFLP2/VNIV. Phylogenetically, all Cryptococcus gattii isolates fell within the autochthonous animal, human and environmental Mediterranean isolate cluster, forming a distinct branch along with environmental strains from Alicante, in the southern Mediterranean coast of Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Maestrale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, G.Pegreffi, via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Mariangela Masia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, G.Pegreffi, via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Davide Pintus
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, G.Pegreffi, via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Stefano Lollai
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, G.Pegreffi, via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | | | | | - Maria Giovanna Cancedda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, G.Pegreffi, via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Pierangela Cabras
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, G.Pegreffi, via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Pirino
- Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, via Vienna 1, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Vittoria D'Ascenzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, G.Pegreffi, via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
| | - Ciriaco Ligios
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, G.Pegreffi, via Duca degli Abruzzi 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
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Pilo C, Altea A, Pirino S, Nicolussi P, Varcasia A, Genchi M, Scala A. Strongylus vulgaris (Looss, 1900) in horses in Italy: is it still a problem? Vet Parasitol 2011; 184:161-7. [PMID: 21962966 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2011] [Revised: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A post-mortem survey was carried out on 46 Sardinian horses to evaluate the presence of Strongylus vulgaris and associated pathology. Horses were from local farms and had been treated with broad-spectrum anthelmintics at least 3 times a year. Examination of the cranial mesenteric arterial system (CMAS) showed parasite-induced lesions in all horses. S. vulgaris larvae were found in 39% of examined arteries, while their detection rate in coprocultures was 4%. Histology, carried out on 26 horses, showed mainly chronic and chronic-active lesions. Histometry showed a significant increase in thickness of the arterial wall, in particular of the intima tunic and adventitia tunic of the ileocolic artery and its colic branch. MCV, MCHC and alpha2, beta and gamma globulins were increased in horses with S. vulgaris larvae in the arteries, while the albumin/globulin ratio was decreased. Horses that were positive on faecal examination showed decreased values for RBC, PCV and the albumin/globulin ratio. Although several studies have shown a dramatic decrease of S. vulgaris infection worldwide, our data show that this parasite continues to exert its pathogenic role, even when its detection rate is quite low within the strongyle population infecting horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Pilo
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Sezione di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna 2-07100 Sassari, Italy
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Mohammed SI, Meloni GB, Pinna Parpaglia ML, Marras V, Burrai GP, Meloni F, Pirino S, Antuofermo E. Mammography and ultrasound imaging of preinvasive and invasive canine spontaneous mammary cancer and their similarities to human breast cancer. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2011; 4:1790-8. [PMID: 21803985 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-11-0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the evolution of proliferative breast disease such as atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma in situ is essential for clinical management of women diagnosed with these lesions. Therefore, an animal model that faithfully represents human breast disease in every aspect from spontaneity of dysplasia onset, histopathologic features, and genetics to clinical outcome is needed. Previously, we studied canine spontaneous atypical hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ (low, intermediate, and high grade) and reported their similarities to human lesions in histopathologic and molecular features as well as prevalence. To further validate the resemblance of these lesions to humans, we examined their mammographic and sonographic characteristics in comparison with those of human's as well as the potential of the human Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to predict canine disease. Nonlesional, benign, and malignant mammary glands of dogs presented to Sassari Veterinary Hospital were imaged using mammography and ultrasonography. The images where then analyzed and statistically correlated with histopathologic findings and to their similarities to humans. Our results showed that canine mammary preinvasive lesions, benign, and malignant tumors have mammographic abnormalities, including the presence, pattern, and distribution of macrocalcification and microcalcification, similar to their human counterparts. BI-RADS categorization is an accurate predictor of mammary malignancy in canine, with 90% sensitivity and 82.8% specificity. The similarities of mammographic images and the ability of BI-RADS to predict canine mammary malignances with high specificity and sensitivity further confirm and strengthen the value of dog as a model to study human breast premalignancies for the development of prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S I Mohammed
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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9
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Manca P, Mulliri G, Burrai GP, Pirino S, Mameli O. Immunohistochemical localisation and molecular expression of the steroidogenic enzyme cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase /C(17,20)-lyase in the vestibular nuclei of adult male rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2011; 23:444-9. [PMID: 21388459 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2011.02122.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Many biologically active neurosteroids, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are synthesised in the brain. DHEA is a potent endogenous modulator of several neuronal functions, and alterations of DHEA are correlated with various neurobiological deficits. The cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C(17,20)-lyase (P450C(17) ) plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of DHEA from pregnenolone and progesterone. We investigated the immunohistochemical localisation and molecular expression of P450C(17) in the superior, lateral, medial and inferior vestibular nuclei (VCN) of adult male rats by western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence analysis. Immunoreactive P450C(17) was widely distributed in all VCN and the expression of P450C(17) was confirmed by western blot analysis. The present study demonstrates, for the first time, the presence and anatomical distribution of P450C(17) in the VCN. Given that neurosteroids can modulate neuronal activities in the medial vestibular nucleus, DHEA synthesised in the VCN may play an important role in the control of specific activities at this level.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Manca
- Department of Neuroscience, Human Physiology Division, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
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Burrai GP, Mohammed SI, Miller MA, Marras V, Pirino S, Addis MF, Uzzau S, Antuofermo E. Spontaneous feline mammary intraepithelial lesions as a model for human estrogen receptor- and progesterone receptor-negative breast lesions. BMC Cancer 2010; 10:156. [PMID: 20412586 PMCID: PMC2873946 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2009] [Accepted: 04/22/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Intraepithelial lesions (IELs), such as usual ductal hyperplasia (UH), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are risk factors that predict a woman's chance of developing invasive breast cancer. Therefore, a comparative study that establishes an animal model of pre-invasive lesions is needed for the development of preventative measures and effective treatment for both mammary IELs and tumors. The purpose of this study was to characterize the histologic and molecular features of feline mammary IELs and compare them with those in women. Methods Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens (n = 205) from 203 female cats with clinical mammary disease were retrieved from the archives of the Purdue University Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Veterinary Teaching Hospital (West Lafayette, IN), and the Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine (Sassari, Italy). Histologic sections, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), were evaluated for the presence of IELs in tissue adjacent to excised mammary tumors. Lesions were compared to those of humans. Immunohistochemistry for estrogen receptor (ER-alpha), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) and Ki-67 was performed in IELs and adjacent tumor tissues. Results Intraepithelial lesions were found in 57 of 203 (28%) feline mammary specimens and were categorized as UH (27%), ADH (29%), and DCIS (44%). Most IELs with atypia (ADH and DCIS) were associated with mammary cancer (91%), whereas UH was associated with benign lesions in 53% of cases. Feline IELs were remarkably similar to human IELs. No ER or PR immunoreactivity was detected in intermediate-grade or high-grade DCIS or their associated malignant tumors. HER-2 protein overexpression was found in 27% of IELs. Conclusion The remarkable similarity of feline mammary IELs to those of humans, with the tendency to lose hormone receptor expression in atypical IELs, supports the cat as a possible model to study ER- and PR-negative breast lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni P Burrai
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Italy
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Bebbere D, Pirino S, Bogliolo L, Ariu F, Pintus E, Nieddu S, Pau S, Ledda S. 124 EXPRESSION OF PLURIPOTENCY MARKERS IN GENITAL RIDGES OF OVINE FOETUSES. Reprod Fertil Dev 2010. [DOI: 10.1071/rdv22n1ab124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fundamental problems of primordial germ cell (PGC) allocation, characterization, lineage restriction, and differentiation have been extensively studied in the mouse. Historically, these cells can be identified using criteria as alkaline phosphatase, but also by the expression of other pluripotency markers suchas OCT4, Nanog, cKIT, SSEA1, SSEA4. Much less is known about PGC inother mammals. The objective ofthis study wasto describe, for the first time, the expression of multiple pluripotency markers in the genital ridges of ovine fetuses evaluating the binding of antibodies for stem cell surface markers (SSEA-1 and EMA-1) and the expression of Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2 genes. Ovine fetuses (24 and 27 days) were collected from slaughtered ewes and transported in a PBS solution at 4°C, to be processed as follows: Immunohistochemistry: 4 foetuses for each age were frozen in OCT TissueTek freezing compound and stored at -80°C. Tissue blocks were cut in 6-μm sections, placed on slides, and immediately prepared for indirect immunofluorescent staining. Section were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde (10 min) and incubated overnight with SSEA-1 (1:100) and EMA-1 (1:50) antibodies (Hybridoma bank). Antibodies were detected with fluorescently-labelled goat anti-mouse secondary antibodies (1:100 dilution; Sigma) in 15% goat serum in DPBS for 1 h at room temperature. After washing, slides were mounted using ProLong antifade mounting medium (Molecular Probes). Gene expression: total RNA was extracted from fetal genital ridge samples with Trizol™ (Invitrogen). Any contaminating DNA was removed with RNase-free DNase I (Invitrogen). First strand cDNA synthesis was performed with SuperScript™ III RNase H-Reverse Transcriptase (Invitrogen) in the presence of RNase inhibitor (Promega). Real Time PCR amplification was performed in a BioRad iCycler™, with Platinum SYBR Green qPCR Super Mix UDG (Invitrogen). The relative quantification of the target genes was calculated with the 2-ddCt method (Livak and Schmittgen 2001 Methods 25, 402-408), after normalization against β-actin expression levels. Fragment identity was confirmed by sequencing. Our results indicate that the cortical region of the genital ridges is positive to stem cell surface markers. A larger number of positive cells was recorded in Day 24 fetuses with respect to Day 27 ones. The SSEA-1 and EMA-1 showed identical expression patterns. Similar levels of Oct4 and Nanog mRNA were detected in the genital ridges at both stages, whereas Sox2 displayed a lower abundance at Day 27. In conclusion, ovine PGC can be recognized by stem cell surface antigens and by the expression of Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2 pluripotency markers, as in mouse. The combined biomolecular and immunohistochemical approach provides a useful tool to follow the ovine PGC during in vitro culture to derive pluripotent stem cells in this species.
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Antuofermo E, Cocco R, Borzacchiello G, Burrai GP, Meloni F, Bonelli P, Pirino S, Cossu-Rocca P, Bosincu L. Bilateral ovarian malignant mixed Mullerian tumor in a dog. Vet Pathol 2009; 46:453-6. [PMID: 19176505 DOI: 10.1354/vp.08-vp-0151-a-bc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Malignant mixed Müllerian tumor (MMMT) is a rare neoplasm of the female genital tract. We report a case of bilateral ovarian MMMT in a 10-year-old female dog. Ovaries were only moderately enlarged with a papillary surface and firm nodules. Multiple metastases were observed in the abdominal cavity and pulmonary parenchyma. Histologically, both ovaries had intermingled carcinomatous and sarcomatous components with cartilage and bone. Metastatic lesions were not mixed. The peritoneal metastases were carcinomatous; pulmonary metastases were sarcomatous. Carcinomatous elements of the MMMT were immunohistochemically positive for cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3, CK7, and vimentin and estrogen receptors. Conversely, the sarcomatous cells were positive for vimentin, but negative for CKs. Chondrocytes also expressed S-100 protein. On the basis of similarities to human ovarian MMMT, the diagnosis was heterologous malignant mixed Müllerian tumor of the ovary.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Antuofermo
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Clinic, Section of General Pathology and Anatomic Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sassari University, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
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Antuofermo E, Miller MA, Pirino S, Xie J, Badve S, Mohammed SI. Spontaneous Mammary Intraepithelial Lesions in Dogs A Model of Breast Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007; 16:2247-56. [DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-06-0932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Rocca S, Sanna MP, Farigu S, Leoni A, Nieddu AM, Pirino S, Appino S. Map Lesions: In Situ Investigation on Samples of Multibacillar and Paucibacillar Ovine PTBC. Vet Res Commun 2006. [DOI: 10.1007/s11259-006-0057-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- A Carluccio
- Institute of the General Pathology, Pathological Anatomy and Veterinary Obstetrics-Surgery Clinic, University of Sassari, Italy.
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Sanna MP, Sanna E, De Las Heras M, Leoni A, Nieddu AM, Pirino S, Sharp JM, Palmarini M. Association of jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus with pulmonary carcinoma in Sardinian moufflon (Ovis musimon). J Comp Pathol 2001; 125:145-52. [PMID: 11578130 DOI: 10.1053/jcpa.2001.0489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma has been described in man and in several animal species, including cattle, dogs, opossums, goats and sheep. In sheep, a bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma, known as ovine pulmonary carcinoma (OPC), is caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV), an exogenous type D retrovirus. In the mid-1980s, a severe outbreak of a disease resembling OPC was described in captive Sardinian moufflon (Ovis musimon). In the present study, the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of nucleic acids extracted from archival material established that JSRV was associated with OPC in affected moufflon. JSRV was detected in the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical and in-situ PCR demonstrated that in the lungs, JSRV proviral DNA was localized in transformed and untransformed type II pneumocytes and in the alveolar macrophages. In the mediastinal lymph nodes, JSRV DNA was mainly located in the cortical follicles and paracortex. These data suggest that JSRV is the cause of OPC in Sardinian moufflon, as it is in Sardinian sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Sanna
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Anatomia Patologica e Clinica Ostetrico-Chirurgica Veterinaria, Facoltà di Veterinaria, Università di Sassari, Italy
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Floris B, Bomboi G, Sechi P, Pirino S, Marongiu ML. Cadmium chronic administration to lactating ewes: reproductive performance, cadmium tissue accumulation and placental transfer. Ann Chim 2000; 90:703-8. [PMID: 11218257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
20 lactating ewes were allotted to two groups: 10 subjects received orally 100 mg/day of CdCl2 for 108 consecutive days, and the remaining 10 acted as control. Reproductive performance in ewes and cadmium tissue accumulation, both in ewes and their lambs, were investigated. The results showed that in ewes: 1) the regular cadmium intestinal intake negatively influences all reproductive parameters; 2) cadmium is particularly accumulated in kidney and liver, but also in mammary gland, although at a distinctly lower level; 3) chronic administration does not increase cadmium placental transfer in lactating pregnant subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Floris
- Dipartimento di Biologia Animale, Università di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari.
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Leoni A, Fadda M, Nieddu AM, Pittau M, Sanna E, Pirino S, Contini A. Dermatophilosis in sheep: first report in Italy, experimental reproduction and evaluation of immune response. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper 1993; 69:775-82. [PMID: 8003293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A severe exudative-crustous and proliferous dermatitis in a 2 year old sheep caused by Dermatophilus congolensis (observed for the first time in Italy), is reported. The disease was reproduced experimentally in sheep, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs, whose skin was treated in different ways before infection. E.L.I.S.A. and Immunoblotting tests carried out in experimentally infected sheep, showed the antigenic complexity of the pathogen and the existence of cross-immunity to the protein components. Intradermoreaction tests were carried out in all animals. The development of a positive reaction only in rabbits and guinea pigs, confirmed that these animals have a cellular immunity against Dermatophilus congolensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Leoni
- Istituto di Patologia Generale e Anatomia Patologica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari
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