Gen expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) as animal model for Papillomavirus study

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the fourth cancers in the world that occurs in women. Papillomavirus infection has been reported as one of the causative agents of cervical cancer. Apoptotic mechanism is one of the signs of cancer. Cynomolgus monkeys have been widely used as animal models in biomedical research because they are similar to humans in terms of genetics, anatomy, and physiology compared to other animals. Previous studies reported that cynomolgus monkeys have undergone spontaneous infection by papillomavirus, but this infection did not show the phenomenon of cervical cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the prediction of papillomavirus-infected cervical cancer through apoptotic mechanisms regulated by Bax and Bcl-2 genes. Gene expression was performed in this study using Real-Time PCR technique. The results showed an increase in Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression in positive group cynomolgus monkeys with papillomavirus infection. Bcl-2 as anti-apoptotic gene expression increased significantly higher than Bax as pro-apoptotic gene. Bax and Bcl-2 have potential as biomarkers to predict the phenomenon of cervical cancer in cynomolgus monkeys with papillomavirus infection.