Immunodetection of SV40 large T antigen in human central nervous system tumours.
OBJECTIVE
DNA sequences from Simian virus 40 (SV40) have been previously isolated from various human tumours of the central nervous system (CNS). This study aimed to investigate a series of tumours of the CNS for the expression of the SV40 large T antigen (Tag), which is an oncogenic protein of the virus.


METHODS
A French series of 82 CNS tumours was investigated for Tag expression using a monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemistry. A Tag positive hepatocellular carcinoma cell line from transgenic mice and a kidney biopsy from a patient infected by SV40 were used as positive controls.


RESULTS
None of the tumours (20 ependymomas, 20 glioblastomas, 12 oligodendrogliomas, three plexus choroid adenomas, two plexus choroid carcinomas, 15 meningiomas, and 10 medulloblastomas) contained SV40 Tag positive cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of SV40 Tag in 82 CNS tumours of various types is at variance with previous studies from different countries, and suggests that the virus may not be an important factor in CNS tumorigenesis, at least in French cases.
Sabatier
J
J
Department of Neurosurgery, Purpan Hospital, Place Baylac, 31059 Toulouse Cedex, France.
Uro-Coste
E
E
Benouaich
A
A
Boetto
S
S
Gigaud
M
M
Tremoulet
M
M
Delisle
M-B
MB
Galateau-Sallé
F
F
Brousset
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / Q000032:analysis*; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged
D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming