Review
Immunology
Lankai Chen, Xipeng Zhang, Guisheng Liu, Shuo Chen, Minying Zheng, Siwei Zhu, Shiwu Zhang
Summary: Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) can be transmitted from mother to offspring through milk during lactation, targeting Peyer's patches (PPs) in the mouse intestine. It enters PPs through microfold cells and activates antigen-presenting cells (APCs) by binding with Toll-like receptors (TLRs). MMTV can infect both APCs and T cells, leading to extensive proliferation and recruitment of immune cells. The infected lymphocytes and dendritic cells in the intestinal lymphatic tissues serve as hotbeds for viral replication and amplification. This transmission of MMTV eventually results in mammary gland infection and the occurrence of breast cancer.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Heather Armstrong, Mandana Rahbari, Heekuk Park, David Sharon, Aducio Thiesen, Naomi Hotte, Ning Sun, Hussain Syed, Hiatem Abofayed, Weiwei Wang, Karen Madsen, Eytan Wine, Andrew Mason
Summary: Genetically manipulated mice lacking IL-10 have increased MMTV expression, which may contribute to the development of colitis. Antiviral therapy targeting MMTV reduces colonic MMTV RNA and improves colitis symptoms in these mice.
Article
Oncology
Lauryn R. Werner, Katelin A. Gibson, Merit L. Goodman, Dominika E. Helm, Katherine R. Walter, Sean M. Holloran, Gloria M. Trinca, Richard C. Hastings, Howard H. Yang, Ying Hu, Junping Wei, Gangjun Lei, Xiao-Yi Yang, Rashna Madan, Alfredo A. Molinolo, Mary A. Markiewicz, Prabhakar Chalise, Margaret L. Axelrod, Justin M. Balko, Kent W. Hunter, Zachary C. Hartman, Carol A. Lange, Christy R. Hagan
Summary: Clinical studies have linked the use of progestins, synthetic progesterone, to an increased risk of breast cancer. However, the specific role of native progesterone signaling through the progesterone receptor in breast tumor formation remains poorly understood. Research suggests that progesterone can repress certain immune signaling pathways, potentially promoting tumor development in the mammary gland. This study investigated the effects of progesterone on immune cell populations in mouse mammary glands, as well as the impact of progesterone receptor overexpression on tumor formation and immune cell populations. The findings indicate that progesterone treatment and progesterone receptor overexpression are associated with inhibited immune responses, decreased immune cell populations, and an increased risk of mammary gland tumor development in mice.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2021)
Review
Virology
Amit Gaba, Ben Flath, Linda Chelico
Summary: The transmission of viruses from animal hosts to humans has led to the emergence of various diseases. Host restriction factors usually block these cross-species transmissions, but viral antagonist proteins can evolve to suppress restriction factors in new hosts, enabling cross-species transmission. An example of this is the APOBEC3-Vif interface and its impact on HIV in humans.
Article
Virology
Shota Tsukimoto, Yoshiyuki Hakata, Sachiyo Tsuji-Kawahara, Takuji Enya, Tetsuo Tsukamoto, Seiya Mizuno, Satoru Takahashi, Shinichi Nakao, Masaaki Miyazawa
Summary: APOBEC3 protein is expressed at distinctively high levels in germinal center B cells of mice, and antigenic stimulation does not affect the expression levels of APOBEC3 protein.
Article
Virology
Waqar Ahmad, Neena G. Panicker, Shaima Akhlaq, Bushra Gull, Jasmin Baby, Thanumol A. Khader, Tahir A. Rizvi, Farah Mustafa
Summary: This study aimed to identify genes and pathways dysregulated by MMTV expression in mouse mammary epithelial cells. mRNAseq analysis revealed differentially expressed genes and pathway dysregulation upon MMTV expression. Bioinformatics analysis identified hub genes and dysregulated molecular pathways, including the down-regulation of the PI3-AKT-mTOR pathway. Comparison with other mouse models provided insights into the molecular mechanisms and potential of MMTV to cause cell transformation. These findings have important implications for the understanding of MMTV replication and its involvement in breast cancer.
Review
Virology
Generoso Bevilacqua
Summary: This study summarizes the research progress on MMTV/HMTV/HBRV since its discovery in the early 20th century, demonstrating the strong association between HBRV and breast cancer and PBC. The quantity and quality of scientific evidence supporting the existence of HBRV and its pathogenic role are emphasized.
Review
Virology
Francesca Parisi, Giulia Freer, Chiara Maria Mazzanti, Mauro Pistello, Alessandro Poli
Summary: MMTV is a virus that may cause mammary carcinoma and lymphoma by exploiting the immune system and causing tumors through insertional mutations. Evidence suggests a possible association between an MMTV-like virus and human breast cancer, sparking controversy for over 40 years. The hypothesis of zoonotic transmission raises questions about prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Review
Virology
James S. Lawson, Wendy K. Glenn
Summary: According to new evidence, it is believed that MMTV may be one of the causes of 40% of human breast cancers. Evidence includes the identification of MMTV genome in human breast cancer cells, and the high consistency of MMTV in human breast cancer.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nathalia de Sousa Pereira, Glauco Akelinghton Freire Vitiello, Marla Karine Amarante
Summary: The association between mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like sequences and human breast cancer (BC) needs further research to determine their influence on cancer development. APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases are viral restriction factors implicated in cancer mutagenesis. Germline deletion of APOBEC3A/B has been linked to increased mutagenic potential, enhanced risk of BC development, and poor prognosis. This study investigated the relationship between MMTV infection, APOBEC3-mediated mutagenesis, and BC development. Results showed that APOBEC3 mutagenesis is active against MMTV-like sequences, and APOBEC3A/B deletion might cooperate with MMTV-like presence to predispose people to early-onset BC.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Leon J. Spicer
Summary: The ovarian TC WNT system is functional in cattle, with WNT3A increasing proliferation and androstenedione production of TC.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bruno A. Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Grace O. Ciabattoni, Ralf Duerr, Ana M. Valero-Jimenez, Stephen T. Yeung, Keaton M. Crosse, Austin R. Schinlever, Lucie Bernard-Raichon, Joaquin Rodriguez Galvan, Marisa E. McGrath, Sanjay Vashee, Yong Xue, Cynthia A. Loomis, Kamal M. Khanna, Ken Cadwell, Ludovic Desvignes, Matthew B. Frieman, Mila B. Ortigoza, Meike Dittmann
Summary: The authors develop a neonatal mouse model for studying SARS-CoV-2 transmission and show that deletion of ORF8 leads to a shift in viral replication and delayed transmission. Small animal models have posed challenges in studying SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with most researchers using golden hamsters or ferrets. However, mice offer advantages such as lower cost, wider availability, and existing reagents and genetic tools. The neonatal mouse model established here allows for transmission of clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolates and can be used to study viral and host determinants.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sergio Alejandro Poveda Cuevas, Fernando L. Barroso da Silva, Catherine Etchebest
Summary: Zika virus from Uganda exhibits fetal loss phenotype, while the variant from Brazil induces neonatal microcephaly. The differential virulence is related to biomolecular mechanisms, particularly the nonstructural protein 1 (NS1), which plays a key role in the virus life cycle. Through simulations, we found that NS1 proteins explore new conformational spaces when interacting with the membrane and have differential binding affinities. Furthermore, the protein-membrane interaction induces changes in putative epitope regions, suggesting potential targets for flavivirus treatment.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simon C. Baker, Andrew S. Mason, Raphael G. Slip, Katie T. Skinner, Andrew Macdonald, Omar Masood, Reuben S. Harris, Tim R. Fenton, Manikandan Periyasamy, Simak Ali, Jennifer Southgate
Summary: Limited understanding of bladder cancer aetiopathology hampers progress in reducing incidence. This study provides missing mechanistic evidence linking reactivated BKPyV-infection to bladder cancer risk.
Article
Biology
Vural Yilmaz, Panayiota Louca, Louiza Potamiti, Mihalis Panayiotidis, Katerina Strati
Summary: This study successfully generated an in vivo lineage-tracing model to track papillomavirus-harboring cells and their progeny. By observing MmuPV1-treated tissues, increased proliferation dynamics and decreased MHC-I cell surface expression were found, which may have implications in tissue regenerative capacity and virus clearance. This model provides a novel tool to study the biology of MmuPV1 host-pathogen interactions.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hussein Kaddour, Yuan Lyu, Jennifer L. Welch, Victor Paromov, Sammed N. Mandape, Shruti S. Sakhare, Jui Pandhare, Jack T. Stapleton, Siddharth Pratap, Chandravanu Dash, Chioma M. Okeoma
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jennifer L. Welch, Thomas M. Kaufman, Jack T. Stapleton, Chioma M. Okeoma
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuan Lyu, Wadie D. Mahauad-Fernandez, Chioma M. Okeoma
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hussein Kaddour, Yuan Lyu, Nadia Shouman, Mahesh Mohan, Chioma M. Okeoma
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mahesh Mohan, Chioma M. Okeoma, Karol Sestak
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Virology
Wenming Zhao, Charbel Akkawi, Marylene Mougel, Susan R. Ross
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicolas Sarute, Susan R. Ross
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Review
Virology
Eileen A. Moran, Susan R. Ross
Article
Virology
Hussein Kaddour, Tyler D. Panzner, Jennifer L. Welch, Nadia Shouman, Mahesh Mohan, Jack T. Stapleton, Chioma M. Okeoma
Article
Oncology
Yuan Lyu, Steven Kopcho, Folnetti A. Alvarez, Bryson C. Okeoma, Chioma M. Okeoma
Article
Virology
Karen Salas-Briceno, Susan R. Ross
Summary: This study showed the critical role of UNG in removing uracils from APOBEC3-mediated MLV retroviral DNA, reducing G-to-A mutations in proviruses. The data suggest that UNG removes uracils at two stages of infection, preventing integration of viral DNA and leading to its repair or degradation.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nicolas Sarute, Han Cheng, Zhonghao Yan, Karen Salas-Briceno, Justin Richner, Lijun Rong, Susan R. Ross
Summary: SIRPA serves as a potent inhibitor of viral infection, particularly viruses that require trafficking to low pH compartments. Increasing SIRPA levels through treatment with IL-4 enhances its antiviral activity, suggesting it could be a potential target for antiviral therapies. The findings also imply a common mechanistic pathway between phagocytosis and virus endocytosis, which could lead to the development of new approaches for antiviral therapeutics.
Article
Microbiology
Nicolas Sarute, Susan R. Ross
Review
Virology
Hussein Kaddour, Malik Tranquille, Chioma M. Okeoma
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membranous particles that carry and transport bioactive cargoes to recipient cells, playing important roles in physiological and pathophysiological processes. Efficient protocols for EV separation are currently lacking, but SEC-based methods show promise and future development of PPLC system for improved separation is suggested.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Jing Ma, Nadim Mahmud, Maarten C. Bosland, Susan R. Ross
Summary: DDX41 is a frequently mutated tumor suppressor in human myeloid neoplasms, and this study reveals its critical role in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell survival and differentiation, particularly in the myeloid lineage cells. Knockout of DDX41 in mice leads to inability to rescue mice from lethal irradiation and defects in colony formation assays. In addition, the study shows altered gene expression and differential splicing of genes involved in hematopoietic differentiation in Ddx41 knockout cells.