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Novel laboratory mouse papillomavirus (MusPV) infection
1Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India.
Abstract:
Most papillomaviruses (PVs) are oncogenic. There are at least 100 different human PVs and 65 nonhuman vertebrate hosts, including wild rodents, which have species-specific PV infections. Florid papillomatosis arose in a colony of NMRI-Foxn1(nu)/Foxn1(nu) (nude) mice at the Advanced Centre for Treatment Research and Education in Cancer in India. Lesions appeared at the mucocutaneous junctions of the nose and mouth. Histologically, lesions were classical papillomas with epidermal hyperplasia on thin fibrovascular stalks in a verrucous pattern. Koilocytotic cells were observed in the stratum granulosum of the papillomatous lesions. Immunohistochemically, these abnormal cells were positive for PV group-specific antigens. With transmission electron microscopy, virus particles were observed in crystalline intranuclear inclusions within keratinocytes. The presence of a mouse PV, designated MusPV, was confirmed by amplification of PV DNA with degenerative primers specific for PVs. This report is the first of a PV and its related disease in laboratory mice.
Insights
Researchers identified a novel papillomavirus (PV) causing papillomatosis in laboratory mice. This discovery marks the first documented PV infection and associated disease in this animal model, expanding our understanding of PVs in vertebrates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Virology
- Oncology
Background:
- Papillomaviruses (PVs) are common oncogenic viruses infecting numerous vertebrate species.
- Species-specific PV infections are known in wild rodents, but PVs in laboratory mice remain largely uncharacterized.
- Florid papillomatosis, a skin disease caused by PVs, has not been previously reported in laboratory mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the causative agent of papillomatosis observed in a colony of NMRI-Foxn1(nu)/Foxn1(nu) mice.
- To confirm the presence of a novel papillomavirus in affected laboratory mice.
- To document the first instance of PV infection and disease in laboratory mice.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination of skin lesions.
- Immunohistochemical analysis for PV group-specific antigens.
- Transmission electron microscopy to visualize virus particles.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of PV DNA using degenerate primers.
Main Results:
- Lesions presented as classical papillomas with epidermal hyperplasia and koilocytotic cells.
- Abnormal cells tested positive for PV group-specific antigens.
- Transmission electron microscopy revealed virus particles within intranuclear inclusions in keratinocytes.
- PV DNA amplification confirmed the presence of a novel mouse PV, designated MusPV.
Conclusions:
- A novel papillomavirus, MusPV, was identified as the causative agent of papillomatosis in laboratory mice.
- This study reports the first PV infection and associated disease in laboratory mice.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of PV diversity and host range.
