Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a potent DNA oncogenic polyomavirus, which seems to be also a human virus. Molecular biology and immunologic studies indicate that SV40 may be contagiously transmitted in humans by horizontal infection. Its spread in humans may occur by different ways, such as sexual, urine, haematogeneous, respiratory and orofecal.routes. SV40 is considered a co-factor in the onset/progression of specific human tumours. Indeed, SV40 DNA sequences have been found in human brain and bone tumors, mesotheliomas and lymphomas. Moreover, SV40 sequences and the expression of its oncoprotein, the large T antigen (Tag), were detected in blood and sperm specimens of neoplastic patients and normal individuals. SV40 infectious virions were found in urine and stool samples, suggesting that SV40 is also an environmental infectious agent. Recent studies show SV40 footprints in specimens from healthy children and adults. These data suggest that the oncogenic virus may be contagiously transmitted within the family. Altogether these results indicate that SV40 can be considered an emerging human viral agent and a putative new pathogenic virus. We believe that the presence of SV40 should be investigated in the human population, as well as in foods, beverages and in the environment. Our laboratory developed new molecular biology and immunologic assays, employing PCR and ELISA techniques. By PCR techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, we detected with a different prevalence SV40 DNA sequences in human tumors, and tissues from healthy individuals. The ELISA test, employing synthetic peptides corresponding to specific SV40 epitopes of the capsid and Tag proteins, was used to carry out epidemiologic and screening tests to verify the presence of SV40 antibodies in sera from oncologic patients and normal blood donors.
Innovative methods for the detection of the oncogenic virus SV40 in human samples
PANCALDI, Cecilia;BONONI, Ilaria;BALATTI, Veronica;MAZZONI, Elisa;MARTINI, Fernanda;TOGNON, Mauro
2008
Abstract
Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a potent DNA oncogenic polyomavirus, which seems to be also a human virus. Molecular biology and immunologic studies indicate that SV40 may be contagiously transmitted in humans by horizontal infection. Its spread in humans may occur by different ways, such as sexual, urine, haematogeneous, respiratory and orofecal.routes. SV40 is considered a co-factor in the onset/progression of specific human tumours. Indeed, SV40 DNA sequences have been found in human brain and bone tumors, mesotheliomas and lymphomas. Moreover, SV40 sequences and the expression of its oncoprotein, the large T antigen (Tag), were detected in blood and sperm specimens of neoplastic patients and normal individuals. SV40 infectious virions were found in urine and stool samples, suggesting that SV40 is also an environmental infectious agent. Recent studies show SV40 footprints in specimens from healthy children and adults. These data suggest that the oncogenic virus may be contagiously transmitted within the family. Altogether these results indicate that SV40 can be considered an emerging human viral agent and a putative new pathogenic virus. We believe that the presence of SV40 should be investigated in the human population, as well as in foods, beverages and in the environment. Our laboratory developed new molecular biology and immunologic assays, employing PCR and ELISA techniques. By PCR techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, we detected with a different prevalence SV40 DNA sequences in human tumors, and tissues from healthy individuals. The ELISA test, employing synthetic peptides corresponding to specific SV40 epitopes of the capsid and Tag proteins, was used to carry out epidemiologic and screening tests to verify the presence of SV40 antibodies in sera from oncologic patients and normal blood donors.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
