Computer-assisted analysis of p53 and PCNA expression in oral lesions infected with human papillomavirus.
OBJECTIVE
To carry out a retrospective study to determine whether human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and immunohistochemical expression of p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are related to the risk of oral cancer.


METHODS
Fifty-seven oral biopsies, consisting of 30 oral squamous papillomas (OSPs) and 27 oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) were tested for the presence of HPV 6/11 and 16/18 by in situ hybridization using catalyzed signal amplification and in situ hybridization. p53 And PCNA expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and evaluated quantitatively by image analysis.


RESULTS
Nineteen of the 57 oral lesions (33.3%) were positive for HPV. HPV 6/11 was found in 6 of 30 (20%) OSPs and 1 of 27 (3.7%) OSCCs. HPV 16/18 was found in 10 of 27 (37%) OSCCs and 2 of 30 (6.7%) OSPs. Sixteen of the 19 HPV-positive cases (84.2%) were p53 negative; 5 (9%) were HPV 6/11 and 11 (19%) HPV 16/18, with an inverse correlation between the presence of HPV DNA and p53 expression (P = .017, P < .05). PCNA expression appeared in 18 (94.7%) of HPV positive cases, showing that HPV 16/18 was associated with intensity of PCNA expression and with OSCCs (P = .037, P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Quantitative evaluation of p53 by image analysis showed an inverse correlation between p53 expression and HPV presence, suggesting protein degradation. Image analysis also demonstrated that PCNA expression was more intense in HPV DNA 16/18 OSCCs. These findings suggest involvement of high-risk HPV types in oral carcinogenesis.
Soares
Christiane Pienna
CP
Department of Clinical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo State, Rua Expedicionários do Brasil 1612, Centro, 14 801 902, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
Benatti Neto
Carlos
C
Fregonezi
Paula Andrea Gabrielli
PA
Teresa
Debora Barreto
DB
Santos
Raimunda Telma de Macedo
RT
Longatto Filho
Adhemar
A
Maeda
Marina Yoshiê Sakamoto
MY
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D010212:Papilloma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53