Presence of bovine papillomavirus type 2 DNA and expression of the viral oncoprotein E5 in naturally occurring urinary bladder tumours in cows.
Samples of neoplastic and normal urothelium were obtained from cows originating from areas of southern Italy, a region in which chronic enzootic haematuria is endemic and bracken fern infestation is widespread. Specimens were analysed for bovine papillomavirus type 2 (BPV-2) DNA, BPV-2 E5 expression and telomerase activity. A total of 46 of 60 tumours and 17 of 34 normal bladder mucosa samples harboured BPV-2 DNA. Analysis of a subset of samples showed E5 protein expression and telomerase activity in tumour tissue only. No normal samples positive for BPV DNA showed E5 protein expression or telomerase activity, suggesting the presence of DNA in a latent state. Taken together, these data on naturally occurring bovine bladder tumours corroborate the hypothesis of their virus origin.
Department of Pathology and Animal health, Faculty of Veterinary medicine 'FEDERICO II' Naples University, Via F. Delpino, 1 80137 Naples, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Borzacchiello
Department of Pathology and Animal health, Faculty of Veterinary medicine 'FEDERICO II' Naples University, Via F. Delpino, 1 80137 Naples, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Iovane
Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Via delle Messi d'Oro, 156 00158 Rome, Italy.
Maria Luisa
ML
Marcante
Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Via delle Messi d'Oro, 156 00158 Rome, Italy.
Federica
F
Poggiali
Department of Pathology and Animal health, Faculty of Veterinary medicine 'FEDERICO II' Naples University, Via F. Delpino, 1 80137 Naples, Italy.
Franco
F
Roperto
Department of Pathology and Animal health, Faculty of Veterinary medicine 'FEDERICO II' Naples University, Via F. Delpino, 1 80137 Naples, Italy.
Sante
S
Roperto
Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Virology, Via delle Messi d'Oro, 156 00158 Rome, Italy.
Aldo
A
Venuti
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D052688:Bovine papillomavirus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral