Infection of lung epithelial cells and induction of pulmonary adenocarcinoma is not the most common outcome of naturally occurring JSRV infection during the commercial lifespan of sheep

• Published in: Virology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 338; no. 1; pp. 144 - 153
• Main Authors: Caporale, Marco, Centorame, Patrizia, Giovannini, Armando, Sacchini, Flavio, Di Ventura, Mauro, de las Heras, Marcelo, Palmarini, Massimo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 20.07.2005
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - etiology; Adenocarcinoma - veterinary; Adenocarcinoma - virology; Animals; Animals, Newborn; DNA, Viral - genetics; DNA, Viral - isolation & purification; Epithelial Cells - pathology; Epithelial Cells - virology; Female; Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus; Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus - genetics; Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus - isolation & purification; Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus - pathogenicity; JSRV; JSRV transmission; Lung - pathology; Lung - virology; Lung Neoplasms - etiology; Lung Neoplasms - veterinary; Lung Neoplasms - virology; OPA; Opportunistic Infections - etiology; Opportunistic Infections - veterinary; Opportunistic Infections - virology; Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma; Pregnancy; Pulmonary Adenomatosis, Ovine - complications; Pulmonary Adenomatosis, Ovine - etiology; Pulmonary Adenomatosis, Ovine - transmission; Pulmonary Adenomatosis, Ovine - virology; Retrovirus pathogenesis; Retroviruses; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - etiology; Sheep Diseases - virology; JSRV transmission; Retrovirus pathogenesis; OPA; Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus; Retroviruses; Sheep; Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma; JSRV
• ISSN: 0042-6822; 1096-0341
• DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2005.05.018

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) is the causative agent of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA). In this study, we followed over a 31-month period the natural transmission of JSRV in adult sheep and in their offspring. We established groups derived from flocks with either a high or low incidence of OPA and monitored virus transmission, clinical disease and macroscopic/microscopic lung lesions at necropsy. Results obtained show that (i) JSRV infection can occur perinatally or in the first few months of life in lambs and in adult sheep; (ii) only a minority of JSRV-infected animals develop clinical disease during their commercial lifespan; and (iii) JSRV is more readily detectable in peripheral blood leucocytes and lymphoid organs than in the lungs. These data support a model of opportunistic JSRV infection and tumorigenic conversion of type II pneumocytes/Clara cells in the lungs, while lymphoreticular cells serve as the principal virus reservoir.