Molecular approaches to equine sarcoids

Equine Vet J. 2021 Mar;53(2):221-230. doi: 10.1111/evj.13322. Epub 2020 Aug 3.

Abstract

Sarcoids are the most commonly diagnosed skin tumours in equines. Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) are the primary causative agent of sarcoids. There has been intensive research to discover the molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the aetiopathogenesis of this disease and tumour suppressors and proto-oncogenes known to play a role in human neoplastic conditions have been investigated in equine sarcoids. Current approaches include the identification of gene expression profiles, characterising sarcoid and normal skin tissues, and an assessment of epigenetic alterations such as microRNA differential expression and DNA methylation status. This review focuses on selected groups of genes that contribute to the molecular mechanisms of sarcoid formation. These genes have the potential to complement current clinical examinations of equine sarcoid disease in diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic response and screening.

Keywords: DNA methylation; differentially expressed genes; equine sarcoids; horse; microRNA; tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bovine papillomavirus 1*
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases*
  • Equidae
  • Horse Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases* / genetics
  • Horses
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / veterinary
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms* / veterinary