Simultaneous presence of herpes simplex and human papilloma virus sequences in human genital tumors

The interaction between human papillomavirus and other viruses

The etiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in anogenital tract and head and neck cancers is well established. However, only a low percentage of HPV-positive women develop cancer, indicating that HPV is necessary but not sufficient in carcinogenesis. Several biological and environmental cofactors have been implicated in the development of HPV-associated carcinoma that include immune status, hormonal changes, parity, dietary habits, tobacco usage, and co-infection with other sexually transmissible agents. Such cofactors likely contribute to HPV persistent infection through diverse mechanisms related to immune control, efficiency of HPV infection, and influences on tumor initiation and progression. Conversely, HPV co-infection with other factors may also harbor anti-tumor effects. Here, we review epidemiological and experimental studies investigating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), BK virus (BKV), JC virus (JCV), and adeno-associated virus (AAV) as viral cofactors in or therapeutic factors against the development of genital and oral HPV-associated carcinomas.

Squamous precursor lesions of the vulva: current classification and diagnostic challenges

Growing evidence has established two major types of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), which correspond to two distinct oncogenic pathways to vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). While the incidence of VSCC has remained relatively stable over the last three decades, the incidence of VIN has increased. VIN of usual type (uVIN) is human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven, affects younger women and is a multicentric disease. In contrast, VIN of differentiated type (dVIN) occurs in post-menopausal women and develops independent of HPV infection. dVIN often arises in a background of lichen sclerosus and chronic inflammatory dermatoses. Although isolated dVIN is significantly less common than uVIN, dVIN bears a greater risk for malignant transformation to VSCC and progresses over a shorter time interval. On histological examination, uVIN displays conspicuous architectural and cytological abnormalities, while the morphological features that characterise dVIN are much more subtle and raise a wide differential diagnosis. On the molecular level, dVIN is characterised by a higher number of somatic mutations, particularly in TP53. Here we review the classification, epidemiology, clinical features, histomorphology, ancillary markers and molecular genetics of both types of VIN, and discuss the morphological challenges faced by pathologists in interpreting these lesions.

Replication and interaction of herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus in differentiating host epithelial tissue

We have investigated the interactions and consequences of superinfecting and coreplication of human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in human epithelial organotypic (raft) culture tissues. In HPV-positive tissues, HSV infection and replication induced significant cytopathic effects (CPE), but the tissues were able to recover and maintain a certain degree of tissue integrity and architecture. HPV31b not only maintained the episomal state of its genomic DNA but also maintained its genomic copy number even during times of extensive HSV-induced CPE. E2 transcripts encoded by HPV31b were undetectable even though HPV31b replication was maintained in HSV- infected raft tissues. Expression of HPV31b oncogenes (E6 and E7) was also repressed but to a lesser degree than was E2 expression. The extent of CPE induced by HSV is dependent on the magnitude of HPV replication and gene expression at the time of HSV infection. During active HSV infection, HPV maintains its genomic copy number even though genes required for its replication were repressed. These studies provide new insight into the complex interaction between two common human sexually transmitted viruses in an in vitro system, modeling their natural host tissue in vivo.

Suppression of human papillomavirus gene expression in vitro and in vivo by herpes simplex virus type 2 infection

Recent epidemiological studies have found that women infected with both herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 or HPV-18 are at greater risk of developing cervical carcinoma compared to women infected with only one virus. However, it remains unclear if HSV-2 is a cofactor for cervical cancer or if HPV and HSV-2 interact in any way. We have studied the effect of HSV-2 infection on HPV-11 gene expression in an in vitro double-infection assay. HPV transcripts were down-regulated in response to HSV-2 infection. Two HSV-2 vhs mutants failed to reduce HPV-16 E1;E4 transcripts. We also studied the effect of HSV-2 infection on preexisting experimental papillomas in a vaginal epithelial xenograft model. Doubly infected grafts demonstrated papillomatous transformation and the classical cytopathic effect from HSV-2 infection. HPV and HSV DNA signals were mutually exclusive. These studies may have therapeutic applications for HPV infections and related neoplasms.

Herpes simplex virus type II is not a cofactor to human papillomavirus in cancer of the uterine cervix

OBJECTIVE

Cells that were cotransfected with herpes simplex virus-16 and the herpes simplex virus type 2 Xho -2 DNA induce tumors in nude mice. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the role of herpes simplex virus type 2 as a cofactor to human papillomavirus in cervical cancer.

STUDY DESIGN

Cervical cells that were obtained with an endocervical Cytobrush brush (Medscand) from 439 women (50 women with cancer lesions, 65 women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 80 women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 244 healthy subjects) and DNA that was extracted from 150 cervical cancer biopsy specimens were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction for herpes simplex virus type 2 Xho -2 and Bgl IIC transforming DNA sequences.

RESULTS

All 439 cervical samples and 150 cervical cancer biopsy specimens tested negative for herpes simplex virus type 2 Xho -2 and Bgl IIC DNA by polymerase chain reaction. Overall, none of 200 samples (0%) from women with invasive cervical cancer contained herpes simplex virus type 2 Xho -2 or Bgl IIC DNA (95% CI, 0.0-1.8).

CONCLUSION

Although herpes simplex virus type 2 Bgl IIN transforms epithelial cells in vitro, it was not detected in cervical cancer specimens.

Relationship of stable integration of herpes simplex virus-2 Bg/II N subfragment Xho2 to malignant transformation of human papillomavirus-immortalized cervical keratinocytes

Transfection of the right end Xho2 subfragment of Bg/II N of herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) into human genital keratinocytes immortalized by human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 or 18 resulted in invasive and noninvasive indolent cystic squamous carcinomas when cells were injected into immunocompromised mice. Retention and expression of the right end portion of the Bg/II N fragment correlated with malignancy, as the corresponding HSV-2 sequences were integrated and transcribed in the tumorigenic cell lines. HPV-immortalized cells alone were not tumorigenic. In contrast, previous results have shown that using the entire Bg/II N region can malignantly transform HPV-immortalized cells, although HSV2 DNA was not retained. Together, these observations localize the transforming activity of Bg/II N to Xho2 and suggest that the remaining sequences have an inhibitory effect on stable integration. The Xho2 sequence is 2480 bp long and contains an open reading frame (ORF) extending from nucleotides 559 to 1797. The ORF encodes a putative protein of 412-aa with a m.w. of 42-43 kDa and is highly homologous to UL43 of HSV-I. The correlation of tumorigenicity with stable integration and expression of Xho2 DNA in HPV-immortalized cells indicates that HSV-2 should be investigated further for a possible role in cervical cancer.

Genital papillomavirus in Greek women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical carcinoma

Fifty biopsies from high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HG-SIL) and 14 cervical carcinoma biopsies from Greek women were screened for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA sequences by Southern blot hybridization and by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of different HPV types. In high-grade SIL, HPV DNA sequences were detected in 44 of 50 biopsies with the following distribution: 36% HPV 16, 12% HPV 18, 6% HPV 31, 6% HPV 33, 4% HPV 51, and 24% unclassified HPV types. In cervical carcinoma biopsies, 13 of 14 specimens were positive for HPV DNA sequences. Six biopsies were positive for HPV 16, three were positive for HPV 18, and four contained unclassified HPV types. Overall, of the total 64 biopsies, 57 (89%) were positive for HPV DNA sequences. Of these, Southern blot hybridization alone detected HPV DNA sequences in 39 cases, whereas by PCR 18 additional specimens were found to be positive for HPV. Among the HPV 16-positive biopsies, two samples produced a Pstl banding pattern very similar but not identical to that of HPV 16 prototype and were referred to as HPV 16 isolates. One HPV 16 isolate appears to carry a mutation within the carboxy-terminal half of the L2 gene that results in the loss of a Pstl site. The other HPV 16 isolate had a similar Pstl banding pattern to that previously reported as HPV 16 "variant" found in Cape Town [Williamson et al., 1989, Journal of Medical Virology 28: 146-149, 1994, Journal of Medical Virology 43: 231-237.] and in Italy [Li Vigni et al., 1994, 2nd International Congress of Papillomavirus in Human Pathology (Abstracts), p 100.].

Cervical cancer: is herpes simplex virus type II a cofactor?

In many ways, cervical cancer behaves as a sexually transmitted disease. The major risk factors are multiple sexual partners and early onset of sexual activity. Although high-risk types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) play an important role in the development of nearly all cases of cervical cancer, other sexually transmitted infectious agents may be cofactors. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is transmitted primarily by sexual contact and therefore has been implicated as a risk factor. Several independent studies suggest that HSV-2 infections correlate with a higher than normal incidence of cervical cancer. In contrast, other epidemiological studies have concluded that infection with HSV-2 is not a major risk factor. Two separate transforming domains have been identified within the HSV-2 genome, but continued viral gene expression apparently is not necessary for neoplastic transformation. HSV infections lead to unscheduled cellular DNA synthesis, chromosomal amplifications, and mutations. These observations suggest that HSV-2 is not a typical DNA tumor virus. It is hypothesized that persistent or abortive infections induce permanent genetic alterations that interfere with differentiation of cervical epithelium and subsequently induce abnormal proliferation. Thus, HSV-2 may be a cofactor in some but not all cases of cervical cancer.

Detection of the BC 24 transforming fragment of the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) DNA in cervical carcinoma tissue by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to investigate samples from Indonesian and Swedish patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CIN III), squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the cervix for the presence of a transforming fragment (BC 24) of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) DNA. The PCR test for HSV-2 DNA was more sensitive than the infectivity endpoint titer in a cell culture system and no cross reactivity was found with either varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus 16 or 18, or human genomic DNA. Using this PCR test, 2 out of 5 cases with CIN III, 10 of 71 squamous cell carcinomas, and 3 of 11 adenocarcinomas of the uterine cervix were found to contain DNA sequences homologous to the BC 24 fragment of the HSV-2 genome. Only two of the samples containing this transforming region of the HSV-2 DNA were positive in a PCR assay for the HSV-2 DNA polymerase gene. The great majority of the HSV-2 BC 24 DNA positive (12 of 15) came from the Indonesian group of patients. All 15 CIN III or cancer samples positive for the HSV-2 BC 24 fragment were also positive for papillomavirus DNA. In line with observations made by others, our data support the hypothesis that HSV infection could represent one of several possible oncogenic cofactors leading to cervical carcinoma. The HSV cofactor might be more important in the Indonesian than in the Swedish population.

Typing of human papillomaviruses in condylomata acuminata from Greece

DNA samples from recurrent condylomata acuminata biopsies of Greek males and females were examined for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA using high-stringency Southern blot hybridization analysis. Of the twenty-six biopsies, 25 were positive for the HPV 6/11-related DNA sequences, and when further analyzed with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the HPV-negative biopsy was also positive for HPV 6/11 DNA. Nineteen specimens were further characterized based on their Pstl restriction endonuclease hybridization pattern. Twelve biopsies were positive for HPV 6a, one biopsy was positive for HPV 11a, and one biopsy was positive for HPV 6c DNA. Three specimens contained HPV 6/11 related DNA that gave an unusual Pstl pattern, and one specimen appeared to represent a multiple HPV infection containing HPV 6/11- and HPV 31/35/39-related sequences. Finally, one sample contained a mixture of HPV 6a DNA and an HPV 6a-like genome. Biopsies were also taken from adjacent apparently normal tissue, 0.5 cm away from the lesion, in 19 of the patients. Only one of these was found to be positive for HPV 6a DNA by Southern blot analysis.

Oncogenes, tumor suppressors and viruses in oral squamous carcinoma

The pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma involves recognised carcinogens in tobacco and/or alcohol but other factors, including viruses, may also have a role. This paper reviews the gene changes revealed in oral carcinoma, the evidence implicating viruses, and mechanisms whereby viruses may affect gene function.

Human herpes simplex-1 and papillomavirus type 16 homologous DNA sequences in normal, potentially malignant and malignant oral mucosa

We have tested a range of normal, potentially malignant and malignant oral mucosal biopsies tissues by Southern blot hybridisation analysis for the simultaneous presence of HSV-1 and HPV type 16 DNA sequences, both of which have been implicated as risk factors in oral carcinogenesis. The results show that: (1) 2/4 patients with lichen planus, 2/4 patients with non-specific keratosis, 1/8 patients with oral carcinoma and 3/5 biopsy specimens of normal oral mucosa contained DNA sequences homologous to the HSV-1, Bam HI-G fragment. (2) HPV-16 homologous DNA sequences were detected in 3/4 patients with lichen planus, 4/4 non-specific keratosis, 4/8 oral carcinomas and in 3/5 biopsy specimens of normal oral mucosa. (3) Overall, only 5 patient biopsy specimens were positive for both HSV-1 and HPV-16 homologous DNA sequences; 2 lichen planus, 2 non-specific keratosis and 1 normal. The data cannot exclude a "hit and run" oncogenic mechanism for HSV but suggest that if HSV-1 and HPV-16 play a synergistic role in the development of oral cancer this may be an early event. Indeed, the data suggest HSV might be more frequently found in potentially malignant lesions than in carcinoma.

Infections of the cervix uteri with human papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis

Apart from infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), other microorganisms may be involved in the development of cervical neoplasia. To study concomitant infections with HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis, cervical specimens from 4 groups of women were examined for the presence of these microorganisms by the polymerase chain reaction. The first group consisted of 143 consecutive samples from women with no cytological abnormalities who participated in a triennial screening program to prevent cervical cancer. In this group 2 samples were found positive for HPV and 2 additional samples were found positive for C. trachomatis. In the second group of 46 cytologically abnormal smears, HPV DNA was detected in 71.7% of the samples and C. tra chomatis in 4.3%. In a third group of 94 histological abnormal biopsies, the HPV prevalence ranged from 15% in mild dysplastic lesions up to 92% in invasive cervical carcinomas. Only 2 biopsies of this group (2.1%) were found positive for C. trachomatis. Finally, a group of cervical scrapes was obtained from women attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. In 52 samples positive for C. trachomatis and 60 samples negative for C. trachomatis, no significant (P = 0.57) difference in the frequency of HPV infections was found (11.5% and 8.3%, respectively). The data show that in these study groups HPV and C. trachomatis are independently occurring agents.

Herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus sites correlate with chromosomal breakpoints in human cervical carcinoma

The distribution of 1,912 breakpoints observed in a series of 148 cervical cancers was analyzed. Fifty bands were shown to be nonrandomly involved in chromosome structural rearrangements. One hundred thirty-three breaks were noted in bands known to contain a human papillomavirus integration site, and 454 breaks were noted in bands containing a herpes simplex virus breakage site. We suggest that herpes simplex viruses and, possibly, papillomaviruses play an important role in the carcinogenesis and/or development of cytogenetic abnormalities in cervical cancers.

Simultaneous in situ hybridization for DNA and RNA reveals the presence of HPV in the majority of cervical cancer cells

Thirteen cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix containing HPV types 16 or 18 DNA sequences, as detected by Southern blot analysis, were investigated by in situ hybridization on routine paraffin sections, using 35S nick-translated DNA probes. Simultaneous in situ hybridization for DNA and RNA showed that in ten out of 13 cases (77%) the percentage of tumor cells containing HPV 16 or 18 varied from 75 to 100%. In one case, harboring both in situ and invasive carcinoma, the same type of HPV DNA was detected in both components. This finding suggests that neoplastic cells retained the viral genome during progression to invasiveness.

Viruses in the aetiology of oral carcinoma? Examination of the evidence

This paper examines the evidence for an aetiological role for viruses in the development of oral carcinoma. Several viruses have been sought in oral cancer and evidence found for some, particularly herpes simplex and human papillomavirus. However, the evidence also suggests that these viruses are ubiquitous agents and a number of criteria must be met before these potentially oncogenic agents can reliably be implicated in human carcinogenesis. In contrast, there is no evidence that viruses such as adenovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and retroviruses play any role in oral carcinogenesis.

Is vestibular papillomatosis associated with human papillomavirus?

The origin and clinical significance of vestibular papillae were evaluated by comparing histological features with the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6/11 and 16/18, as revealed by Southern blot DNA hybridization. Twenty women with vestibular papillomatosis underwent clinical evaluation and follow-up. When available, male partners were also examined. Histological changes suggestive of HPV infection were present in all the 20 specimens. Sixteen cases (80%) contained DNA sequences homologous to the viral probes. In particular, 12 cases (60%) reacted with the HPV 16/18 probe. Follow-up for more than 18 months revealed no variation in the distribution and appearance of vestibular papillae. No male partner showed signs of HPV lesions. The study shows that HPV 16 is frequently associated with vestibular papillae but does not support a productive infection. Therefore the most appropriate management of these patients should be evaluated clinically in each individual case.

Mutagenesis occurring following infection with herpes simplex virus does not require virus replication

Infection of eukaryotic cells in culture with herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) or HSV-2 increased the mutation frequency of the supF gene carried on the shuttle vector pZ189 by around sixfold. The increase was apparent 2 hr postinfection and reached a peak after 8 hr. To investigate this mutagenesis, plasmids pCKRR1 and pCKRR2 were constructed to express the large and small subunits, respectively, of HSV-2 ribonucleotide reductase (RR) under the control of the inducible mouse metallothionein promoter. Expression from these plasmids, either singly or together, had no effect on the mutation frequency of pZ189 under conditions when virus RR activity was detected. The HSV-1 temperature sensitive (ts) mutant viruses ts 1207 and ts 1222, which have ts lesions in the genes encoding R1 and R2, respectively, were as mutagenic as wild-type HSV-1 at both the permissive and nonpermissive temperatures. These results indicate that expression of HSV RR is not mutagenic in this system. Experiments using other HSV-1 mutants and ultraviolet-inactivated virus localized the cause of the increased mutagenic frequency either to a component of the incoming virion or to an effect exerted by the virus DNA itself. The present study confirms previous reports that infection with HSV exerts a mutagenic effect. Further, virus replication and gene expression were not required for the mutagenic effect studied here. This may have implications for a role of HSV in cellular transformation, as a nonproductive infection could mutagenize cellular genes.

Loss of MHC class-I expression in cervical carcinomas

The expression of MHC class-I antigens was analysed in 67 cervical carcinoma biopsies; 16% of the biopsies showed complete or heterogeneous loss of HLA expression as judged by reactivity with antibodies recognizing monomorphic determinants of the class-I heavy chain bound to beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m). In addition, other biopsies showed a loss in expression of particular allelic products: 23% for HLA-A2; 17% for HLA-A3; 23% for HLA-Bw4 and 19% for HLA-Bw6. Three biopsies showed changes at 2 alleles, 2 of which were at both HLA-A and -B loci. Down-regulation of class-I expression may be virally mediated and HPV DNA is frequently found in cervical carcinomas. However, there appeared to be no direct correlation between the detection of HPV 16 or 18 DNA in these tumours and changes in HLA expression. There was also no correlation with the expression of the oncofoetal antigen 5T4. Our results show that a significant proportion (at least 30%) of the cervical carcinomas showed some alteration in MHC class-I expression. Such changes may allow tumours to evade immune surveillance with more rapid progression. There was, however, no correlation with tumour type, degree of differentiation or stage of disease at presentation.

Langerhans cells and epithelial cell modifications in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: correlation with human papillomavirus infection

The study of a series of 18 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade II and III was aimed at determining the distribution and phenotype of immunocompetent cells (Langerhans cells, T and NK cells) and the alteration in the expression of EGF receptors and beta 2-microglobulin in correlation with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (viral antigen and DNA typing with biotinylated probes). These lesions were characterized by a reduced number of Langerhans cells and a dense infiltrate. HPV infection did not induce HLA-DR expression in the infected epithelial cells. We observed an enhanced expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors by epithelial cells and a reduced beta 2-microglobulin reactivity by both epithelial and immunocompetent cells. Most of CIN showed foci of infected cells. No significant differences were observed in immunological markers of CIN harboring benign HPV 6/11 DNA or oncogenic HPV 16/18 DNA. Viral antigen was not detected in these lesions. These changes in the epithelial cells of CIN and their microenvironment associated to the lack of HLA-DR expression in the infected cells hamper the squamous epithelial cells to function as antigen presenting cells. This may facilitate a decrease in the immunological surveillance and may contribute to the severity of such lesions.

Episomal HPV 16 DNA isolated from a cervical carcinoma presents a partial duplication of the early region

An invasive cervical carcinoma was found to harbor an episomal variant of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 DNA, with a size of about 10.1 kb. A genomic library of the tumor was constructed in bacteriophage lambda and a recombinant phage clone was isolated by screening with HPV 16 probe. Analysis by restriction mapping and Southern hybridization showed that the isolate contained a 2.2 kb duplication of the early region, which included part of E6, all E7 and part of E1 open reading frames. Possible consequences of this duplication for oncogenesis are discussed.

Multiple infections in cases of cervical cancer from a high-incidence area in tropical Africa

The presence of several infections was determined in tissue and serum samples from 34 cases and 23 controls seen in 1984-85 at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. When assessing single infections, association with cervical cancer could be shown for 5 agents, namely by Southern blot assay for human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 (HPV), and by serological tests at varying levels of antibody titres, for herpes simplex virus type I and/or 2 (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus, viral capsid antigen (EBV-VCA), and Chlamydia trachomatis (CLT). Due to interaction, HSV and CMV were associated with cervical cancer only when infection by both of these agents was demonstrable. In the assessment of the simultaneous presence of these 5 infections, moderately high antibody titres were taken as the cut-off point for infection by HSV, CMV, EBV-VCA, and CLT. This showed that 3 and 4 infections at a time were seen in the majority of the cases in contrast to the controls with essentially no more than 2 such infections. A linear trend in the rise of risk for cervical cancer was noted with increasing number of infections.

Search for human papillomavirus, herpes simplex virus and c-myc oncogene in human genital tumors

We tested grade III cervical intra-epithelial neoplasms (CIN III), genital invasive carcinomas and healthy genital tissues for the presence of a number of viral and cellular parameters, considered to be risk factors in genital oncogenesis. The results show that: (I) about 30% of genital tumors had homology to HSV-2 BglII N and/or BamHI E DNA fragments; (2) positivity to HSV-2-specific protein ICP10, encoded by sequences within the HSV-2 BamHI E DNA fragment, was detected in 29/55 neoplastic genital tissues but not in healthy genital tissues or tumors at other sites; (3) HPV-16 DNA was found in about 50% of tumor samples, but none of the positive tissues reacted to HPV capsid protein or to the protein encoded by the HPV-16 E6 ORF; (4) 6/8 tumor samples showing homology to HSV-2 DNA fragments also hybridized to HPV-16 DNA; (5) c-myc amplification was not detected in any of the analyzed samples, but tissues from 4 patients were positive for c-myc expression. None of the considered factors was present in all the analyzed samples; nevertheless, some tissues showed the simultaneous involvement of several parameters, suggesting that a number of risk factors may be involved in different steps of human genital oncogenesis.

Lack of serum antibodies to the major HSV-2 specified DNA-binding protein before diagnosis of cervical neoplasia

We report results based on a prospective case-control study within a cohort obtained by linking the Finnish Social Insurance Institutions Mobile Clinic Survey Registry and the Finnish Cancer Registry. The overall prevalence of herpes virus early antigen (ICSP 11/12) antibodies was similar in controls and in cervical neoplasia cases (consisting of invasive cervical carcinoma, ICC, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia group III, CIN III cases). However, those CIN III cases, who after a long lag period (average 7 years after the blood sample was drawn) developed cervical neoplasia, had significantly lower antibody levels than did matched controls. Their ICSP 11/12 antibody levels became higher the shorter the lag period. The negative correlation between the ICSP 11/12 antibody levels and the lag period was most pronounced in the HSV-2 seropositive CIN III cases. In an analysis of cross-sectional case-control material from the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tampere University Central Hospital, the patients with ICC had the highest ICSP 11/12 antibody levels. Statistically significant differences between cases and controls were not found. We conclude that in cervical neoplasia the kinetics of ICSP 11/12 antibody levels are determined by the malignant process itself. The cervical disease may selectively induce early viral antigens, thus giving rise to the antibody response described in this paper.

Two colour DNA in situ hybridization for the detection of two viral genomes using non-radioactive probes

Methods for the simultaneous detection of two virus types in cytological preparations or tissue sections by non-radioactive in situ hybridization were investigated. As a model system, CaSki cells, which have human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV16) DNA integrated in their cellular genome, were in vitro infected with Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2). DNA probes for both viruses were labeled with biotin, acetylaminofluorene (AAF), and transaminated-sulfonated cytosine (TS-modified). Best results were obtained when a mixture of biotinated and haptenized DNA probes (AAF- or TS-modified) was used for hybridization. The biotinated hybrid was demonstrated with a streptavidin-biotinated alkaline phosphatase staining reaction, whereas the haptenized hybrid was visualized by an indirect peroxidase method. Visualisation of both viral DNAs in the same cell was possible by a combination of biotinated HPV16 DNA and haptenized HSV2 DNA.