Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is frequently associated with malignant cell transformation through the action of the oncoprotein latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1). The present study aimed to determine the presence of EBV in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) and the expression of LMP-1 in neoplastic cells of EBV-positive OSCCs.


METHODS
In a retrospective study of 78 OSCCs, we investigated the presence of the DNA of EBV by polymerase chain reaction, the expression of the oncoprotein LMP-1 by immunohistochemistry, and the presence of EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) by in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
EBV DNA was detected in 19.2% of the cases. Expression of LMP-1 in neoplastic cells was found in 85.7% of the EBV-positive OSCCs. EBV presence was significantly more frequent (P <.05) in OSCCs localized on the lateral tongue. EBV-positive OSCCs more frequently presented (P <.05) greater nuclear atypia.


CONCLUSIONS
EBV can appear in latent form in OSCC and express its main oncoprotein, LMP-1.
Gonzalez-Moles
M A
MA
Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Granada, Spain. magonzal@ugr.es
Gutierrez
J
J
Rodriguez
M J
MJ
Ruiz-Avila
I
I
Rodriguez-Archilla
A
A
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins