Survey for human polyomaviruses in cancer

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• The discovery of 11 new human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) has increased interest in this DNA tumor virus family.
• While HPyV infections are common and asymptomatic, some HPyVs like Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) are linked to human cancers.
• Other HPyVs, including JC virus (JCV), BK virus, HPyV7, and trichodysplasia-spinulosa virus (TSV), can cause disease in immunocompromised individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a pan-human polyomavirus (HPyV) screening method for studying newly discovered HPyVs.
• To validate the efficacy of a novel antibody cocktail for detecting T antigen proteins across all HPyVs.
• To investigate the association of HPyVs with various diseases and tumor tissues.

Main Methods:

• Development of a pan-HPyV screening method utilizing a cocktail of three antibodies targeting T antigen proteins of all HPyVs.
• Validation of the antibody cocktail's detection capabilities using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.
• Screening of 1,184 disease and tumor tissue samples.

Main Results:

• The antibody cocktail successfully detected MCV, TSV, JCV, and HPyV7 in diseases etiologically linked to these viruses.
• WU polyomavirus was identified in a case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia-associated bronchitis.
• The study found HPyVs were largely absent in a broad panel of tumor tissues, with incidental findings in a small percentage of lung squamous cell carcinomas and colon adenocarcinomas.

Conclusions:

• The developed pan-HPyV screening method is effective for identifying diseases associated with newly discovered polyomaviruses.
• The study effectively rules out known HPyVs as causative agents for the majority of cancers examined.
• This research provides a valuable tool for future investigations into HPyV-associated diseases.