Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Identification of a Novel Papillomavirus Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Domestic Cat

Version 1 : Received: 23 December 2019 / Approved: 23 December 2019 / Online: 23 December 2019 (12:01:11 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Carrai, M.; Van Brussel, K.; Shi, M.; Li, C.-X.; Chang, W.-S.; Munday, J.S.; Voss, K.; McLuckie, A.; Taylor, D.; Laws, A.; Holmes, E.C.; Barrs, V.R.; Beatty, J.A. Identification of A Novel Papillomavirus Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in A Domestic Cat. Viruses 2020, 12, 124. Carrai, M.; Van Brussel, K.; Shi, M.; Li, C.-X.; Chang, W.-S.; Munday, J.S.; Voss, K.; McLuckie, A.; Taylor, D.; Laws, A.; Holmes, E.C.; Barrs, V.R.; Beatty, J.A. Identification of A Novel Papillomavirus Associated with Squamous Cell Carcinoma in A Domestic Cat. Viruses 2020, 12, 124.

Abstract

Papillomaviruses infect the skin and mucosal surfaces of diverse animal hosts with consequences ranging from asymptomatic colonization to highly malignant epithelial cancers. Increasing evidence suggests a role for papillomaviruses in the most common cutaneous malignancy of domestic cats, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Using total DNA sequencing we identified a novel feline papillomavirus in a nasal biopsy taken from a cat presenting with both nasal cavity lymphoma and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma affecting the nasal planum. We designate this novel virus as Felis catus papillomavirus 6 (FcaPV6). The complete FcaPV6 7453 bp genome was similar to those of other feline papillomaviruses and phylogenetic analysis revealed that it was most closely related to FcaPV3, although was distinct enough to represent a new viral species within the genus Taupapillomavirus. Archived excisional biopsy of the SCC, taken 20 months prior to presentation, was intensely positive on p16 immunostaining. FcaPV6, amplified using virus-specific, but not consensus, PCR was the only papillomavirus detected in DNA extracted from the SCC. Conversely, renal lymphoma, sampled at necropsy two months after presentation, tested negative on FcaPV6-specific PCR. In sum, using metagenomics we demonstrate the presence of a novel feline papillomavirus in association with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords

papillomavirus; feline; cat; felid; cancer; squamous cell carcinoma; phylogeny; discovery; pathogen; oncogenic

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Virology

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