A subset of equine sarcoids harbours BPV-1 DNA in a complex with L1 major capsid protein.
Bovine papillomavirus type 1 or 2 (BPV-1, BPV-2) are accepted causal factors in equine sarcoid pathogenesis. Whereas viral genomes are consistently found and expressed within lesions, intact virions have never been detected, thus permissiveness of sarcoids for BPV-1 replication remains unclear. To reassess this issue, an immunocapture PCR (IC/PCR) was established using L1-specific antibodies to capture L1-DNA complexes followed by amplification of the viral genome. Following validation of the assay, 13 sarcoid-bearing horses were evaluated by IC/PCR. Samples were derived from 21 tumours, 4 perilesional/intact skin biopsies, and 1 serum. Tissue extracts from sarcoid-free equines served as controls. IC/PCR scored positive in 14/24 (58.3%) specimens obtained from sarcoid-patients, but negative for controls. Quantitative IC/PCR demonstrated <125 immunoprecipitable viral genomes/50 microl extract for the majority of specimens. Moreover, full-length BPV-1 genomes were detected in a complex with L1 proteins. These complexes may correspond to virion precursors or intact virions.
Brandt
S
S
Equine Biotechnology Unit (EBU), Equine Centre, Veterinary University Vienna, Vienna, Austria. sabine.brandt@vu-wien.ac.at
Haralambus
R
R
Shafti-Keramat
S
S
Steinborn
R
R
Stanek
C
C
Kirnbauer
R
R
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D001706:Biopsy; D052688:Bovine papillomavirus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D006736:Horses; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D014771:Virion / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D004279:DNA, Viral; C085217:L1 protein, Bovine papillomavirus