Characterization of Epstein Barr virus latency pattern in Argentine breast carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated tumors show different expression patterns of latency genes. Since in breast carcinoma this pattern is not yet fully described, our aim was to characterize EBV latency pattern in our EBV positive breast carcinoma series.


METHODS
The study was conducted on 71 biopsies of breast carcinoma and in 48 non-neoplastic breast controls. EBNA1, LMP2A and LMP1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies, while viral genomic DNA and EBERs RNA transcripts expression was performed by in situ hybridization. EBV presence was confirmed by PCR.


RESULTS
EBV genomic DNA and EBNA1 expression were detected in 31% (22/71) of patients specifically restricted to tumor epithelial cells in breast carcinoma while all breast control samples were negative for both viral DNA and EBNA1 protein. LMP2A was detected in 73% of EBNA1 positive cases, none of which expressed either LMP1 protein or EBERs transcripts.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that EBV expression pattern in the studied biopsies could be different from those previously observed in breast carcinoma cell lines and lead us to suggest a new, EBNA1, LMP2A positive and LMP1 and EBERs negative latency profile in breast carcinoma in our population.
Molecular Biology Laboratory, Pathology Division, Ricardo Gutiérrez Children Hospital, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. marioloren@yahoo.com.ar
Mario A
MA
Lorenzetti
Elena
E
De Matteo
Hugo
H
Gass
Paula
P
Martinez Vazquez
Julia
J
Lara
Pedro
P
Gonzalez
María Victoria
MV
Preciado
Paola A
PA
Chabay
D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017735:Virus Latency
D004279:DNA, Viral