title: Human bcl-2 expression, cleaved caspase-3, and KSHV LANA-1 in Kaposi sarcoma lesions.
abstract: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of Kaposi sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection in KS lesions in patients from Brazil. In addition, expression of human bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and KSHV latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA)-1 in tumors was evaluated using immunohistochemical analysis. We studied 64 KS cases, classified as follows: classical, 20 (31%); iatrogenic, 2 (3%); AIDS-associated, 25 (39%); and not otherwise specified (lack of information about HIV status), 17 (27%). KSHV was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 61 cases (95%); 40 cases (63%) were KSHV+ by PCR and immunohistochemical analysis for LANA-1. Immunoexpression of bcl-2 was detected in 47 cases (73%). Only a few cells in 15 cases (23%) of KS had demonstrable immunostaining for cleaved caspase-3. These results further support the association of KSHV with all KS forms. Cleaved caspase-3 in KS tumors was infrequent, which may reflect the inhibition of apoptosis owing to bcl-2 overexpression observed in the majority of KS tumors.
authors.affiliation: Botucatu School of Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil.
authors.forename: Suzane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramos da Silva
authors.forename: Maura M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bacchi
authors.forename: Carlos E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bacchi
authors.forename: Deilson
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elgui de Oliveira
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis; D001938:Brazil; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; C452184:Bcl-2 protein, Human herpesvirus 8; D004279:DNA, Viral; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014764:Viral Proteins; C109540:latency-associated nuclear antigen; D053148:Caspase 3