Abstract
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a small DNA tumor virus ubiquitous in humans. MCPyV establishes a clinically asymptomatic lifelong infection in healthy immunocompetent individuals. Viral infections are considered to be risk factors for spontaneous abortion (SA), which is the most common adverse complication of pregnancy. The role of MCPyV in SA remains undetermined. Herein, the impact of MCPyV infection in females affected by SA was investigated. Specifically, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method with two linear synthetic peptides/mimotopes mimicking MCPyV antigens was used to investigate immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against MCPyV in sera from 94 females affected by SA [mean ± standard deviation (SD) age 35 ± (6) years] and from 96 healthy females undergoing voluntary pregnancy interruption [VI, mean (±SD) age 32 ± (7) years]. MCPyV seroprevalence and serological profiles were analyzed. The overall prevalence of serum IgG antibodies against MCPyV was 35.1% (33/94) and 37.5% (36/96) in SA and VI females, respectively (p > 0.05). Notably, serological profile analyses indicated lower optical densities (ODs) in females with SA compared to those undergoing VI (p < 0.05), thus indicating a reduced IgG antibody response in SA females. Circulating IgGs were identified in sera from SA and VI females. Our immunological findings indicate that a relatively reduced fraction of pregnant females carry serum anti-MCPyV IgG antibodies, while SA females presented a more pronounced decrease in IgG antibody response to MCPyV. Although yet to be determined, this immunological decrease might prompt an increase in MCPyV multiplication events in females experiencing abortive events. The role of MCPyV in SA, if present, remains to be determined.
Highlights
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a small DNA tumor virus (Witkin et al, 2020)
Results indicate a good degree of correlation between optical densities (ODs) for S and F peptides for the spontaneous abortion (SA) group, with a Spearman coefficient r of 0.7727 (p < 0.0001) (Figure 1A), and for the voluntary interruption of pregnancy (VI) group, with an r of 0.6221 (p < 0.0001) (Figure 1B)
These data indicate that both peptides can be used simultaneously, underlining that our assay is reliable in detecting anti-MCPyV immunoglobulin G (IgG) in sera from SA and VI females
Summary
Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a small DNA tumor virus (Witkin et al, 2020). It is the main causative agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), which is a rare, but highly aggressive, non-melanoma skin cancer (Rotondo et al, 2017; Jin et al, 2019). MCPyV oncogenic activity is mediated by viral DNA integration into the host genome (Rotondo et al, 2017; Del Marmol and Lebbé, 2019; Pietropaolo et al, 2020), alongside the expression of two viral oncoproteins large T (LT) and small T (sT) antigens (Csoboz et al, 2020; Liu and You, 2020). In certain circumstances, such as during host immune system impairment, increased MCPyV replication levels/activity can occur, thereby leading to an increase in MCC occurrence (Rotondo et al, 2017; Tabachnick-Cherny et al, 2020; Decaprio, 2021)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
