Trophoblasts are the preferential target for human papilloma virus infection in spontaneously aborted products of conception.
In a recent study it has been shown that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection was threefold more prevalent in spontaneous abortion specimens compared with elective specimens (60% [15 of 25] v 20% [3 of 15], respectively) as analyzed by broad-spectrum HPV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and dot-blot hybridization with an HPV-16 probe. In this study, archival paraffin-embedded tissue from a subset of previously analyzed spontaneous abortion cases were reanalyzed by in situ PCR amplification so that the specific cells infected by HPV could be identified. In the current study, using a new PCR primer set for HPV-16 E6, the status of six previously analyzed cases were verified (five HPV-positive and one negative). Furthermore, syncytiotrophoblasts were identified as the predominant cellular target of HPV (HPV-16 or a related type). Finally, four of four third-trimester placentas similarly analyzed gave no HPV-positive signal. Trophoblasts are the cell type that maintains placental contact with maternal tissue and through which nutrient exchange occurs. This knowledge prompts the hypothesis that HPV-infected trophoblasts may have altered characteristics, which may lead to a compromised gestation.
Hermonat
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
Kechelava
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Lowery
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Korourian
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D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral; C068651:E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D012097:Repressor Proteins