title: Goat uterine epithelial cells are susceptible to infection with Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) in vivo.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine, using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization, whether CAEV is capable of infecting goat uterine epithelial cells in vivo. Five CAEV seropositive goats confirmed as infected using double nested polymerase chain reaction (dnPCR) on leucocytes and on vaginal secretions were used as CAEV positive goats. Five CAEV-free goats were used as controls. Samples from the uterine horn were prepared for dnPCR, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence. The results from dnPCR confirmed the presence of CAEV proviral DNA in the uterine horn samples of infected goats whereas no CAEV proviral DNA was detected in samples taken from the uninfected control goats. The in situ hybridization probe was complementary to part of the CAEV gag gene and confirmed the presence of CAEV nucleic acids in uterine samples. The positively staining cells were seen concentrated in the mucosa of the lamina propria of uterine sections. Finally, laser confocal analysis of double p28/cytokeratin immunolabelled transverse sections of CAEV infected goat uterus, demonstrated that the virus was localized in glandular and epithelial cells. This study clearly demonstrates that goat uterine epithelial cells are susceptible to CAEV infection in vivo. This finding could help to further our understanding of the epidemiology of CAEV, and in particular the possibility of vertical transmission.
authors.affiliation: LUNAM University, Oniris, Nantes-Atlantic National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Sanitary Security of Reproduction Biotechnology Unit, F-44307 Nantes, France. francis.fieni@oniris-nantes.fr.
authors.forename: Mohamad Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Ali Al Ahmad
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dubreil
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chatagnon
authors.forename: Zakaria
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khayli
authors.forename: Marine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Theret
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martignat
authors.forename: Yahia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chebloune
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fieni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016088:Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus, Caprine / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D006041:Goats; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000662:veterinary; D016180:Lentivirus Infections / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000662:veterinary; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011533:Proviruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D014599:Uterus / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral