title: Abnormal expression of galactosyl(alpha 1-->3) galactose epitopes in squamous cells of the uterine cervix infected by human papillomavirus.
abstract: This study describes the presence of alpha-galactosyl epitopes on 12 cervical biopsy samples with features of human papillomavirus infection (HPV) and different stages of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. An avidin-biotin-peroxidase assay with a monoclonal antibody recognizing gal(alpha 1-->3)gal residues was strongly positive in 5 of 12 cases. None of the controls stained (p = 0.02). Immunostaining was intense in the areas with the highest viral load (koilocytes and keratinocytes) and absent in malignant foci. Immunostaining was also absent in normal exo- and endocervical epithelium of 12 controls with no features of HPV infection. A faint background staining in cases and controls was evident, but similar. These initial findings suggest that alpha-galactosyl epitopes are expressed in cervical squamous cells infected with HPV, turning them vulnerable to lysis by natural anti-alpha-galactosyl antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Section, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, USA.
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Tremont-Lukats
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Avila
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tapia
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cáceres-Dittmar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rojas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004187:Disaccharides / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004187:Disaccharides; D000939:Epitopes; C055075:galactosyl-(1-3)galactose