title: Identification of Human Papilloma Viruses in Atheromatous Coronary Artery Disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify human papilloma viruses (HPV) in atheromatous coronary arteries.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Atheromatous arterial disease is primarily an initial inflammatory response to unknown stimuli. The crucial question is "what causes the initial inflammation in atheromatous disease?" HPV infections may be relevant as US women with vaginal, high risk for cancer, HPV infections, are at up to threefold increased risk of cardiovascular disease as compared with vaginal HPV-negative women. These studies did not include analyses of HPV in atheromatous coronary arteries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Atheromatous coronary arteries were identified and collected from 20 deceased donors. Polymerase Chain Reaction techniques were used to identify HPV gene sequences. Immunohistochemistry methods were used to identify HPV E7 proteins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HPV types 16 and 18 were identified in 11 (55%) of 20 specimens. HPV E7 protein was identified in 10 (50%) of 20 specimens. Positive and negative HPV identification and HPV E7 expression in coronary smooth muscle cells were significantly correlated (cc = 0.503, p = 0.024). The HPV E7 proteins were expressed in smooth muscle cells and plasma cells, foam cells, and macrophages located in the atheromatous plaque. HPV E7 proteins were not expressed in infiltrating lymph cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HPV gene sequences were identified in 55% of atheromatous coronary arteries and may have a role in coronary artery disease.
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Wendy K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Glenn
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Dinh D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ngan
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, The University of Sydney , Sydney, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Johan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Duflou
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Noel J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Whitaker
keywords: HPV E7 protein; atheroma; coronary artery disease; coronary vessel anomalies; human papillomavirus; inflammation