The presence of human papillomavirus 16 in neural structures and vascular endothelial cells.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is known as a strictly epitheliotropic pathogen. Our results raised the possibility that HPV 16 is present in neural cells and in the vascular endothelium. By in situ hybridization, we have detected HPV 16 E6 ORF sequence in small blood vessels and peripheral nerves adjacent to oral and cervical cancers. The same structures have clearly shown immunohistochemical reactivity for the E6 oncoprotein. These results were verified by PCR applied to E6 and L1 ORFs following microscopic laser dissection of the immunohistochemically positive nerves and vessels. These observations suggest that HPV 16 DNA and protein are present in neurons and endothelial cells in the vicinity of HPV-associated tumors. The HPV 16 genome presumably exists in a non-replicating form in the neurons and constitutively produces high levels of E6 and E7 proteins with an unknown neuropathological outcome.
Füle
Tibor
T
Department of Molecular Pathology, Joint Research Organization of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Máthé
Miklós
M
Suba
Zsuzsanna
Z
Csapó
Zsolt
Z
Szarvas
Tibor
T
Tátrai
Péter
P
Paku
Sándor
S
Kovalszky
Ilona
I
D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000821:virology; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D009474:Neurons / Q000821:virology*; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050725:Papillomavirus E7 Proteins; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000821:virology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000821:virology; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral; C068651:E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D050725:Papillomavirus E7 Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C059731:oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16