Intragenomic rearrangement in TT viruses: a possible role in the pathogenesis of disease.

A role for the ubiquitous Torque teno (TT) viruses in the pathogenesis of disease has not been resolved. In vivo and in vitro intragenomic rearrangement of TT virus genomes has been demonstrated. Replication in cell culture of a subviral molecule (411 bp) occurs through oligomerisation of RNA transcripts. Although the functions of the respective TT viral genes, as well as the newly formed genes in the rearranged subviral molecules, are largely unknown, certain similarities to genes of plant viruses of the family Geminiviridae will be described. A degree of similarity to certain cellular genes poses the question as to a role of molecular mimicry in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease and diabetes.

TT viruses: oncogenic or tumor-suppressive properties?

Torque teno (TT) viruses have been more frequently reported in malignant biopsies when compared to normal control tissue. The possible contribution of TT virus infection to human carcinogenesis or the potential oncolytic functions of these virus infections are being discussed based on available experimental evidence. The data could suggest an involvement of TT virus infections as an indirect carcinogen by modulating T cell immune responses. Significant oncolytic functions, potentially mediated by the inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB transcription factor or by apoptin-like gene activities, are emerging to be less likely.

[Coincidental squamous cell cancers of the esophagus, head, and neck: risk and screening]. / "Field cancerization" im oberen Aerodigestivtrakt: Uberwachungsempfehlungen für Risikopersonen.

The term "field cancerization" was coined by Slaughter in1953 when describing multifocal synchronous and metachronous carcinogenesis in the upper aerodigestive system. Patients suffering from head and neck cancer (HNC) have or develop a second esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) or bronchial cancer (BC) in 5-14% of cases. When a second esophageal cancer occurs in a patient with HNC, the prognosis is generally determined by the ESCC, and, unfortunately, it is poor. Screening and surveillance by Lugol chromoesophagoscopy enable early detection and curative treatment of second esophageal neoplasias. Surveillance appears to result in a survival benefit for HNC patients. Vice versa, patients with ESCC or BC have a risk of about 10% for developing HNC. Periodic pharyngolaryngoscopy is recommended for curatively treated ESCC or BC patients. Patients with field cancerization should be surveilled by a multidisciplinary approach.

[Coincidental squamous cell cancers of the esophagus and head and neck: risk and surveillance]. / Koinzidenz von Plattenepithelkarzinomen der Speiseröhre und Kopf-Hals-Karzinomen: Risiko und Früherkennung.

Patients suffering from head and neck cancer (HNC) have or will develop a second esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) in 5 - 14 %. When a second esophageal neoplasm occurs in a HNC patient, the prognosis is generally determined by the ESCC, and unfortunately it is poor. Prospective clinical studies in Japan, Brazil, Taiwan, France and Germany have shown that screening or surveillance using Lugol chromoesophagoscopy enables early detection of second esophageal neoplasias. Such a surveillance results in a survival benefit for HNC patients. Vice versa, ESCC patients also have a risk of 9.3 - 11.4 % for a head and neck cancer. Periodic otolaryngeal examination and pharyngoscopy is recommended for curatively treated ESCC patients. Patients with a so-called field cancerisation of the airways and upper digestive tract thus require an interdisciplinary management and monitoring.

TAp63alpha indirectly regulates a cutaneous HPV promoter through complex formation with Jun family members.

The p63alpha isoforms of the p53 family have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the development and differentiation of the skin. We show that expression of the TAp63alpha isoform leads to an upregulation of the cutaneous papillomavirus HPV 20 promoter, which is increased at least three-fold when c-Jun is co-expressed, in contrast to a minimal increase in activity in the presence of c-Jun alone. Co-expression of TAp63alpha with JunB or JunD, respectively, and in combination, leads to a reduction in the viral promoter activation measured by the expression of TAp63alpha alone. JunB and JunD also inhibits the additive effect exerted on the TAp63alpha activation by c-Jun. Co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate a complex formation of c-Jun, JunB and JunD with TAp63alpha through the SAM domain mediating protein-protein interactions, which is characteristic for p63alpha. Co-expression of p53 mutant R248W not only downregulates the differential modulation of the viral promoter by TAp63alpha alone and in the presence of the Jun family members, but leads to a reduction in the protein levels of the overexpressed c-Jun, JunB, JunD, as well as TAp63alpha. This model system provides insight into yet unknown pathways through which TAp63alpha and Jun may cooperate in the pathogenesis of HPV associated cutaneous lesions.

Intravenous cidofovir treatment for recalcitrant warts in the setting of a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Cidofovir is an acyclic nucleoside phosphonate with broad-spectrum activity against DNA viruses, including human papilloma virus (HPV). However, data on the efficacy of cidofovir in an immunosuppressive setting remain contradictory. We report for the first time on the promotion of the healing of recalcitrant warts in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome with intravenous cidofovir treatment.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: coincidental association or model for understanding the underlying mechanism of the disease?

We describe a 25-year-old man with epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The lesions, persisting for more than 15 years, consisted of widespread planar warts on the backs of the hands and wrists, and reddish-brown macules on the trunk, neck and face. During the last 5 years, our patient developed several epithelial tumours, namely solar keratoses, plaques of Bowen's disease and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). He also presented with NF1 lesions with neurofibromas, café-au-lait macules, axillary freckling and Lisch nodules. He had left tibial bowing. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the skin lesions demonstrated the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) 15 in a flat wart, HPV 20 in a plaque of Bowen's disease, and HPV 15 and HPV 20 in an SCC lesion. Both EV and NF1 show an inherited predisposition to malignancy but the molecular mechanism underlying tumour development is not fully understood. The appearance of both diseases in our patient may be a coincidental association but may also contribute to the identification of loci for susceptibility to NF1 and EV on chromosome 17.

Opposite regulation of the HPV 20-URR and HPV 27-URR promoters by ultraviolet irradiation and cytokines.

Epidemiological evidence implicates ultraviolet radiation and genetic changes (e.g., p53 mutations) as important factors in the etiology of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Little is known about a possible role of cutaneous papillomaviruses in these tumors. We previously reported both positive and negative regulation of the promoter activity of a number of HPV types by UV irradiation. To determine the underlying mechanism, we examined the influence of pro-inflammatory cytokines and MAP-kinases induced by UV irradiation by transfecting the HPV 20-URR and the HPV 27-URR into the RKO, HaCaT and H1299 cell lines expressing wild-type or mutated p53 or lacking p53, respectively. IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-alpha, as well as interferon-alpha, -beta and -gamma activated the promoter in the HPV 20-URR but inhibited the HPV 27-URR promoter. The effect of IL-1alpha and UV light was abolished by the addition of IL-1 receptor antagonist. UV irradiation induced a prolonged activation of JNK in HaCaT and H1299 but not in RKO cells, and its dephosphorylation was enhanced in the presence of p53 and the HPV-URRs.

Human papillomavirus E7 proteins stimulate proliferation independently of their ability to associate with retinoblastoma protein.

Studies on human papillomavirus type 16 have demonstrated that the product of the early gene, E7, plays a key role in the immortalization and malignant transformation of the host cell. Several of the biological activities of HPV16 E7 are mediated by inactivation of the members of the pocket protein family, pRb, p107 and p130. In this study, we have characterized the in vitro properties of five E7 proteins from benign and malignant HPV types (10, 32, 48, 54, 77). We show that these E7 proteins associate with pRb and p107 with different efficiencies. All E7s increased the proliferative rate of immortalized rodent fibroblasts cultured in 10% calf serum containing medium. This property is completely independent of their ability to associate with the pocket proteins. Furthermore, all E7s, except HPV10 E7, stimulate G1/S progression and activated the cyclin E and cyclin A promoter in the absence of growth factors. This activity also does not correlate with the E7-efficiency of binding the pocket proteins. Together these data provide evidence that different E7s alter the regulation of the cell cycle by diverse mechanism(s). Finally, this comparative analysis of the different E7 proteins demonstrates that the oncogenicity of a HPV type is not determined by the ability of E7 to associate with the pocket proteins.

Clinical course and treatment of haemorrhagic cystitis associated with BK type of human polyomavirus in nine paediatric recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplants.

UNLABELLED: Of a total of 117 bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients in the period from August 1988 to November 1995, 9 (7.7%) developed haemorrhagic cystitis. This condition was characterized in all nine patients by late onset (day +24 to +50 post-BMT), long duration (1 to 7 weeks), and the excretion of BK virus in the urine, as confirmed by electron microscopy, DNA hybridization and PCR analysis. Adenovirus was not involved. The serological assessment of BK virus-specific IgM and IgG pre- and post-BMT is consistent with viral reactivation in all patients, although a primary infection cannot be absolutely excluded in a single patient. A significant correlation between the use of high-dose busulphan (16 mg/kg) in the preparative regimen and development of haemorrhagic cystitis (P = 0. 0003) was evident. The severe course of the disease in two patients resulted in bladder tamponade; bleeding could not be inhibited with coagulation and laser treatment. Deterioration was prevented by bladder irrigation via a suprapubic catheter. Remission occurred spontaneously in all patients. CONCLUSION: BK virus induced haemorrhagic cystitis in a paediatric bone marrow transplantation recipients is characterized by late onset, long duration, viral reactivation and correlates to high-dose busulphan. Severe bleeding could not be influenced by surgical intervention.

Detection of HPV-20, HPV-23, and HPV-DL332 in a solitary eyelid syringoma.

PURPOSE: To report evidence of many human papillomavirus types occurring in a solitary syringoma clinically appearing as a papilloma. METHODS: A 57-year-old man presented with a 10-year history of an upper eyelid tumor. Histopathology, human papillomavirus-nested polymerase chain reaction, human papillomavirus-DNA cloning into vector pCR2.1, sequencing, and computer-assisted evaluation were performed. RESULTS: Histopathology demonstrated a solitary benign syringoma. HPV-20 and HPV-23 were present in one clone each, and HPV-5-related HPV-DL332 was present in 9 clones. CONCLUSION: Many human papillomavirus types may be detected in an ocular syringoma.

Stage IIa cervix carcinoma with metastasis to the heart: report of a case with immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and virology findings.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report a stage IIa squamous cell cervix carcinoma with intraperitoneal carcinomatosis and metastasis to the heart in a 50-year-old woman and to study the original tumor for expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor gene proteins, for DNA ploidy, and for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. METHODS: Clinical course, histopathology of the original tumor, and autopsy record were rewieved. The original tumor was analyzed for expression of CD44 variant 6, p16, p21, p53, retinoblastoma (Rb), and c-erb-2. DNA flow cytometry was performed on tissue samples from the original tumor and from the heart. Sequences of the HPV genome on cervical and cardiac tissue samples were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis showed expression of CD44v6 and p16. No expression of p21, Rb, c-erb-B2, and p53 was seen. DNA flow cytometry of the original cervical tumor showed a DNA index (DI) of 1.0. DNA flow cytometry of tissue samples from the posterior wall and from the right ventricle of the heart showed two different aneuploid cell populations with DI of 1.6 and 2.2, respectively. HPV gene sequences were identified neither in the original tumor nor in the heart. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first case of cervix carcinoma with metastasis to the heart with immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and virology findings.

The promoter of a novel human papillomavirus (HPV77) associated with skin cancer displays UV responsiveness, which is mediated through a consensus p53 binding sequence.

An aetiological role has been proposed for human papillomavirus (HPV) in skin carcinogenesis within the immunosuppressed patient population. To examine this possibility, we have focused on an HPV type that, to date, has been identified only in the cutaneous lesions of renal transplant recipients despite a high degree of sequence homology with other HPVs commonly found in warts in the general population. We report that the non-coding region of this virus, HPV type 77, contains a consensus binding site for the tumour suppressor protein p53, and we show by gel-retardation analysis that this sequence does indeed bind p53. Furthermore, using reporter gene assays, we demonstrate that HPV77 promoter activity is stimulated by UV radiation and that this response is mediated through the p53 binding site. This is the first report of a p53-dependent positive response element within a viral genome. Our results suggest a possible novel mechanism by which specific types of HPV might act as cofactors with UV radiation in cutaneous transformation.

Degenerate and nested PCR: a highly sensitive and specific method for detection of human papillomavirus infection in cutaneous warts.

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in anogenital carcinogenesis is firmly established, but evidence that supports a similar role in skin remains speculative. Immunosuppressed renal transplant recipients have an increased incidence of viral warts and nonmelanoma skin cancer, and the presence of HPV DNA in these lesions, especially types associated with the condition epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV), has led to suggestions that HPV may play a pathogenic role. However, differences in the specificities and sensitivities of techniques used to detect HPV in skin have led to wide discrepancies in the spectrum of HPV types reported. We describe a degenerate nested PCR technique with the capacity to detect a broad spectrum of cutaneous, mucosal, and EV HPV types. In a series of 51 warts from 23 renal transplant recipients, this method detected HPV DNA in all lesions, representing a significant improvement over many previously published studies. Cutaneous types were found in 84.3% of warts and EV types were found in 80.4% of warts, whereas mucosal types were detected in 27.4% of warts. In addition, the method allowed codetection of two or more distinct HPV types in 94.1% of lesions. In contrast, single HPV types were detected in all but 1 of 20 warts from 15 immunocompetent individuals. In summary, we have established a highly sensitive and comprehensive degenerate PCR methodology for detection and genotyping of HPV from the skin and have demonstrated a diverse spectrum of multiple HPV types in cutaneous warts from transplant recipients. Studies designed to assess the significance of these findings to cutaneous carcinogenesis are under way.

[Detection of human papillomavirus types in tumors and inflammations of the eye]. / Nachweis humaner Papillomavirustypen bei Tumoren und Entzündungen am Auge.

BACKGROUND: Infections by the human papillomavirus occur in the skin and in the mucosa. They may play a significant role in the neoplastic transformation of cells. At least half of all the epithelial tumours of the ocular surface and the lacrimal drainage system have been shown to be HPV associated. However, in ca. 50% of these tumors only a limited number of mucosal HPV types could be detected by commercially available test systems. This study reports of HPV specific sequences in putatively HPV associated tumorous and inflamed tissues of the eye. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 biopsies of 26 patients suffering from chronic hyperplastic lesions of the lid, conjunctiva and lacrimal drainage system were examined using DNA extraction, amplification of HPV specific sequences by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning and sequencing of the PCR products. RESULTS: Ten HPV types could be detected in 11 biopsies of 8 patients with papillo-mas, seborrheic and actinic keratosis, dacryocystitis and syringoma. In 5 of 9 histologically verified papillomas HPV 6, 20, 23, DL 332 (HPV 5b-related), DL 284 (HPV 20-related) and NN-AA44 were detected, HPV 5b, 38 and DL 284 in seborrheic keratoses, HPV 36 in actinic keratosis, NN-AA44 und NN-AA45 in dacryocystitis and HPV 20, 23 and DL 332 in syringoma. CONCLUSIONS: The DNA techniques used in this study represent important methods for the detection of HPV types and allow an association of HPV types with defined tumours and inflammations of the eye. In two of the biopsies putatively new HPV types could be identified.

An interlaboratory study to determine the presence of human papillomavirus DNA in esophageal carcinoma from China.

Esophageal-carcinoma samples originating from the high-incidence area of China were tested in 2 different laboratories, each using a different degenerate PCR approach. Results confirmed the notion that none of the PCR approaches available for HPV-DNA detection today, is optimal for detecting all known HPV types at equal sensitivity and specificity. In combining results obtained in both laboratories, HPV DNA was demonstrated in 20/117 (17.1%) esophageal-carcinoma samples analyzed. HPV DNA was detected in 3/70 (4.3%) diagnostic biopsies, 7/23 (30.4%) surgical specimen and 10/24 (41.6%) cytological scrapings originating from the entire surface of the esophagus. Mucosotropic HPV types were present in 7/117 (6%) samples, only 3 being of the high-risk types (HPV 16, 18, 33). Other mucosal types found were HPV 6, 11, 13, 53 and 54. Cutaneous HPV types were present in 14/117 (12.0%) samples. HPVs 20 and 38 were present in 3 (2.6%) of the total samples and, in each case, together with another HPV type within one lesion. Two putative new HPV types, DL347 and DL 369, were identified.