ORF virus causes tumor-promoting inflammation in sheep and goats

• DOI: 10.1177/03009858241241794
• Publication Date: 2024-04-13T10:16:50Z
• Authors: Davide Pintus; Maria G. Cancedda; Giantonella Puggioni; Rosario Scivoli; Angela M. Rocchig...; Caterina Maestrale; Elisabetta Coradd...; Roberto Bechere; Luciana Silva-Fla...; Hannah A. Bullock; Simona Macciocu; Maria A. Montesu; Vincenzo Marras; Simone Dore; Jana M. Ritter; Ciriaco Ligios
• Keywords: CD163; Stratum spinosum; Lamina propria; Immunofluorescence

ORF virus (ORFV) causes contagious ecthyma (“ORF”), a disease of sheep and goats characterized by lesions ranging from vesicles pustules to atypical papilloma-like angiomatous in the skin mucosae. The authors investigated molecular factors leading ORF-associated tumor-like changes. Fifteen lambs, 15 kids, an adult ram clinically affected natural ORFV infection were enrolled study examined several methods. was detected viral culture or real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) lesioned tissues blood goats. Surprisingly, also healthy herd. Microscopically, they found pseudo-papillomatous proliferation epithelium, while dermis lamina propria expanded proliferating neovascular component that highly expressed vascular endothelial growth factor (vVEGF) its host receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, situ hybridization for mRNA showed epidermal (EGFR) fibrovascular component, infiltrating CD163+ macrophages, basal stratum epidermis. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated macrophages associated with VEGF VEGFR2. Finally, quantitative RT-PCR overexpression interleukin-6 VEGFR2 genes tissues. These findings suggest activates inflammatory expressing EGFR VEGFR2, which might play oncogenic role through synergistic action vVEGF signaling.