title: Persistence of viral DNA in the epithelial basal layer suggests a model for papillomavirus latency following immune regression.
abstract: Rabbit oral papillomavirus (ROPV) causes benign and spontaneously regressing oral lesions in rabbits, and is a useful model of disease associated with low-risk human papillomavirus types. Here we have adapted the ROPV system to study papillomavirus latency. Following lesion regression, ROPV DNA persists at the majority of regressed sites at levels substantially lower than those found in productive papillomas. Spliced viral transcripts were also detected. ROPV persistence in the absence of disease could be demonstrated for a year following infection and lesion-regression. This was not associated with completion of the virus life-cycle or new virion production, indicating that ROPV persists in a latent state. Using novel laser capture microdissection techniques, we could show that the site of latency is a subset of basal epithelial cells at sites of previous experimental infection. We hypothesize that these cells are epithelial stem cells and that reactivation of latency may be a source of recurrent disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Virology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London, NW7 1AA, UK.
authors.forename: Gareth Adam
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Maglennon
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Doorbar
mesh_terms: D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D052690:Kappapapillomavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D010212:Papilloma / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017735:Virus Latency
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins