DNA sequences of the tumor virus SV40 and the expression of its oncoprotein Tag have been detected in human tumors, such as mesotheliomas, brain tumors, osteosarcomas and lymphomas. Little is known on the SV40 infection of human populations. In our study a new indirect ELISA test has been set employing synthetic peptides corresponding to specific SV40 epitopes of the capsid proteins. Specific antibodies against SV40 have been detected in sera of healthy donors from Casale Monferrato, a town affected by asbestos pollution and with a high prevalence of the mesothelioma. Peripheral blood cells from the same individuals were also analyzed by PCR for the SV40 Tag sequences. Sera and blood specimens harvested in Aviano were also analyzed in the same fashion. Our analyses indicate that 20% of the sera from blood donors carries specific SV40 antibodies, while 38% of the sera from mesothelioma patients are positive for the SV40 antibodies. Moreover, PBMCs from the same donors analyzed by PCR revealed SV40 Tag sequences with a prevalence similar to that detected by the ELISA test. Our serologic data confirm that SV40 is circulating in the human population, whereas the oncologic patients are SV40-positive with prevalence which is two fold compared to the healthy individuals
SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES AGAINST THE ONCOGENIC VIRUS SV40 IN SERA OF BLOOD DONORS AND ONCOLOGIC PATIENTS DETECTED BY AN INNOVATIVE INDIRECT ELISA TEST
MAZZONI, Elisa;PANCALDI, Cecilia;BALATTI, Veronica;BONONI, Ilaria;MARTINI, Fernanda;TARONNA, Angelo Pio;AMODIO, Vincenzo;CORALLINI, Alfredo;TOGNON, Mauro
2007
Abstract
DNA sequences of the tumor virus SV40 and the expression of its oncoprotein Tag have been detected in human tumors, such as mesotheliomas, brain tumors, osteosarcomas and lymphomas. Little is known on the SV40 infection of human populations. In our study a new indirect ELISA test has been set employing synthetic peptides corresponding to specific SV40 epitopes of the capsid proteins. Specific antibodies against SV40 have been detected in sera of healthy donors from Casale Monferrato, a town affected by asbestos pollution and with a high prevalence of the mesothelioma. Peripheral blood cells from the same individuals were also analyzed by PCR for the SV40 Tag sequences. Sera and blood specimens harvested in Aviano were also analyzed in the same fashion. Our analyses indicate that 20% of the sera from blood donors carries specific SV40 antibodies, while 38% of the sera from mesothelioma patients are positive for the SV40 antibodies. Moreover, PBMCs from the same donors analyzed by PCR revealed SV40 Tag sequences with a prevalence similar to that detected by the ELISA test. Our serologic data confirm that SV40 is circulating in the human population, whereas the oncologic patients are SV40-positive with prevalence which is two fold compared to the healthy individualsI documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
