Effect of human papillomavirus 16 oncoproteins on oncostatin M upregulation in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Insights into expression and localization of HPV16 LCR-associated transcription factors and association with LCR activity in HNSCC

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) encompasses a heterogeneous group of malignancies characterized by diverse clinical manifestations. Notably, HPV-positive HNSCC exhibits a more favorable prognosis, particularly when the virus is transcriptionally active. This study aimed to elucidate the role of key transcription factors in activating the HPV long control region (LCR), responsible for its oncogenic potential. Utilizing immunoblotting and immunofluorescence techniques, we analyzed the expression and nuclear localization of LCR-associated transcription factors in HPV-negative and HPV-positive HNSCC cell lines. High expression of JunB and low expression of Fra-1, pSTAT3(S727), SP1, and SOX2 were observed in HPV-positive HNSCC cells. Transcriptomic analysis corroborated these findings, revealing differential expression of transcription factors in HPV-positive lesions. Moreover, the study identified strong correlation of LCR-specific transcription factors with HNSCC patient survival. Evaluation of HPV16 LCR reporter activity further underscored the heterogeneous nature of HNSCC, with some HPV-negative cell lines exhibiting comparable LCR activity to HPV-positive counterparts. These findings elucidate the intricate regulatory mechanisms underlying HPV-associated HNSCC and provide insights into potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Therapeutic strategy for oncovirus-mediated oral cancer: A comprehensive review

Oral cancer is a neoplastic disorder of the oral cavities, including the lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, and lower and upper gums. Oral cancer assessment entails a multistep process that requires deep knowledge of the molecular networks involved in its progression and development. Preventive measures including public awareness of risk factors and improving public behaviors are necessary, and screening techniques should be encouraged to enable early detection of malignant lesions. Herpes simplex virus (HSV), human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are associated with other premalignant and carcinogenic conditions leading to oral cancer. Oncogenic viruses induce chromosomal rearrangements; activate signal transduction pathways via growth factor receptors, cytoplasmic protein kinases, and DNA binding transcription factors; modulate cell cycle proteins, and inhibit apoptotic pathways. In this review, we present an up-to-date overview on the use of nanomaterials for regulating viral proteins and oral cancer as well as the role of phytocompounds on oral cancer. The targets linking oncoviral proteins and oral carcinogenesis were also discussed.

HPV16 E7 Nucleotide Variants Found in Cancer-Free Subjects Affect E7 Protein Expression and Transformation

The human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E7 oncogene is critical to carcinogenesis and highly conserved. Previous studies identified a preponderance of non-synonymous E7 variants amongst HPV16-positive cancer-free controls compared to those with cervical cancer. To investigate the function of E7 variants, we constructed full-length HPV16 E7 genes and tested variants at positions H9R, D21N, N29S, E33K, T56I, D62N, S63F, S63P, T64M, E80K, D81N, P92L, and P92S (found only in controls); D14E, N29H cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2), and P6L, H51N, R77S (CIN3). We determined the steady-state level of cytoplasmic and nuclear HPV16 E7 protein. All variants from controls showed a reduced level of E7 protein, with 7/13 variants having lower protein levels. In contrast, 2/3 variants from the CIN3 precancer group had near-wild type E7 levels. We assayed the activity of representative variants in stably transfected NIH3T3 cells. The H9R, E33K, P92L, and P92S variants found in control subjects had lower transforming activity than D14E and N29H variants (CIN2), and the R77S (CIN3) had activity only slightly reduced from wild-type E7. In addition, R77S and WT E7 caused increased migration of NIH3T3 cells in a wound-healing assay compared with H9R, E33K, P92L, and P92S (controls) and D14E (CIN2). These data provide evidence that the E7 variants found in HPV16-positive cancer-free women are partially defective for transformation and cell migration, further demonstrating the importance of fully active E7 in cancer development.

Expression Pattern of Genes in Condyloma Acuminata Treated with Clinacanthus nutans Lindau Cream versus Podophyllin

Clinacanthus nutans Lindua (C. nutans), a strong antiviral traditional medicine, can be used to treat condyloma acuminata (CA) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, its molecular mechanism for CA elimination is unknown. Herein, we conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of C. nutans and its molecular mechanism compared with podophyllin, the gold standard treatment. Using a randomized block design, six patients were treated with C. nutans and podophyllin for four weeks. Efficacy of drugs was assessed by size reduction of the warts and HPV viral load quantification using droplet digital PCR. The gene expression profiling of CA was analyzed using NanoString Technology. After the podophyllin and C. nutans treatments, CA lesion sizes were reduced to 97.0% and 84.4% clearance, and the HPV viral loads were reduced by 74.0% and 46.6%, respectively. The gene expression pattern of immune profiling showed that 23 genes (i.e., HLA-DPB, CCL3, CXCL2, CXCR2, and OSM) were significantly differentially expressed by podophyllin, whereas 2 genes (IFNL1 and IRF2) were remarkably expressed by C. nutans. In inflammatory profiling, 108 genes (i.e., CXCL2, IL8, and STAT3) were highly expressed by podophyllin, but none of genes were observed to change expression by C. nutans. These results suggested that podophyllin may reduce the HPV infection through a mechanism related to proinflammatory response. In addition, C. nutans was found to suppress the HPV infection through mechanism related to the activation of immune response. This study shows novel therapeutic mechanisms of podophyllin and C. nutans. It is suggested that C. nutans might be used as an alternative treatment for CA treatment.

Helicobacter pylori outer membrane vesicles induce expression and secretion of oncostatin M in AGS gastric cancer cells

Helicobacter pylori, a human pathogen that colonizes the stomach of 50% of the world's population, is associated with gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Diseases are characterized by severe inflammatory responses in the stomach that are induced by various chemokines and cytokines. Recently, oncostatin M (OSM), an IL-6 family cytokine, was detected in early gastric cancer biopsies. In this study, we showed that Helicobacter pylori induced secretion of OSM and overexpression of its type II receptor OSMRβ (OSM/OSMRβ) in a human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (AGS) over 24 h of infection. Furthermore, we showed that the induction of OSM and OSMRβ was carried out by heat-sensitive Helicobacter pylori outer membrane vesicle (OMV) protein. Collectively, our results established, for the first time, a direct relation between Helicobacter pylori OMVs and the OSM/OSMRβ signaling axis.

Evaluation of HPV and EBV in OSCC and the expression of p53, p16, E-cadherin, COX-2, MYC, and MLH1

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the expression of p53, p16, E-cadherin, COX-2, MLH1, and MYC in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred OSCC specimens were submitted to in situ hybridization for HPV and EBV, and immunohistochemistry for detection of the human proteins.

RESULTS

Thirty-one cases showed HPV in tumor tissue. EBV was not detected in any case investigated. The HPV(+) group demonstrated an increase of staining scores for nuclear p16 (p = .047), cytoplasmic MYC (p = .002), while a decrease for nuclear MLH1 (p = .048), suggesting that HPV may upregulate the expression of the first two proteins and down-regulate the latter.

CONCLUSION

Our findings reinforce the hypothesis of the HPV-related oral carcinogenesis involving the expression of p16 and MYC, and MLH1 suppression. Exclusively cytoplasmic stainings for p16, MLH1, and MYC were also associated with more advanced tumors. Finally, in view of the lack of studies correlating the HPV or EBV infection to the expression of oncoproteins, more researches assessing a broader panel of markers and employing different approaches are still necessary in order to understand the role of these viruses as well as the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of oral carcinomas.

Association Between Interleukin-6 and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine which plays an important role in several regulatory mechanisms of cancer. Moreover, experimental and clinical studies have reported that IL-6 targeted therapies might provide significant benefits for cancer treatment. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate IL-6 activity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A systematic review of the association between serum, saliva and tumor IL-6 and HNSCC was developed on PubMed/Medline in the publication range from January 1995 to January 2019. Our literature analysis demonstrated that overexpression and elevated serum and/or saliva IL-6 concentrations in patients with HNSCC are related to poor survival and oncological outcomes. Although there is a correlation between IL-6 concentrations and tumorigenicity, it is noteworthy that IL-6 targeted therapies are generally performed in vitro and in experimental studies. Therefore, prospective, randomized clinical trials are required that focus on IL-6 targeted therapies for the treatment of HNSCC.

Human Papillomavirus Infection in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Transcriptional Triggers and Changed Disease Patterns

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers. Collectively, HNSCC ranks sixth in incidence rate worldwide. Apart from classical risk factors like tobacco and alcohol, infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) is emerging as a discrete risk factor for HNSCC. HPV-positive HNSCC represent a distinct group of diseases that differ in their clinical presentation. These lesions are well-differentiated, occur at an early age, and have better prognosis. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a specific increase in the proportions of the HPV-positive HNSCC. HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC lesions display different disease progression and clinical response. For tumorigenic-transformation, HPV essentially requires a permissive cellular environment and host cell factors for induction of viral transcription. As the spectrum of host factors is independent of HPV infection at the time of viral entry, presumably entry of HPV only selects host cells that are permissive to establishment of HPV infection. Growing evidence suggest that HPV plays a more active role in a subset of HNSCC, where they are transcriptionally-active. A variety of factors provide a favorable environment for HPV to become transcriptionally-active. The most notable are the set of transcription factors that have direct binding sites on the viral genome. As HPV does not have its own transcription machinery, it is fully dependent on host transcription factors to complete the life cycle. Here, we review and evaluate the current evidence on level of a subset of host transcription factors that influence viral genome, directly or indirectly, in HNSCC. Since many of these transcription factors can independently promote carcinogenesis, the composition of HPV permissive transcription factors in a tumor can serve as a surrogate marker of a separate molecularly-distinct class of HNSCC lesions including those cases, where HPV could not get a chance to infect but may manifest better prognosis.

Manipulation of JAK/STAT Signalling by High-Risk HPVs: Potential Therapeutic Targets for HPV-Associated Malignancies

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, DNA viruses that cause around 5% of all cancers in humans, including almost all cervical cancer cases and a significant proportion of anogenital and oral cancers. The HPV oncoproteins E5, E6 and E7 manipulate cellular signalling pathways to evade the immune response and promote virus persistence. The Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway has emerged as a key mediator in a wide range of important biological signalling pathways, including cell proliferation, cell survival and the immune response. While STAT1 and STAT2 primarily drive immune signalling initiated by interferons, STAT3 and STAT5 have widely been linked to the survival and proliferative potential of a number of cancers. As such, the inhibition of STAT3 and STAT5 may offer a therapeutic benefit in HPV-associated cancers. In this review, we will discuss how HPV manipulates JAK/STAT signalling to evade the immune system and promote cell proliferation, enabling viral persistence and driving cancer development. We also discuss approaches to inhibit the JAK/STAT pathway and how these could potentially be used in the treatment of HPV-associated disease.

Human Papillomavirus Infection in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Transcriptional Triggers and Changed Disease Patterns

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers. Collectively, HNSCC ranks sixth in incidence rate worldwide. Apart from classical risk factors like tobacco and alcohol, infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) is emerging as a discrete risk factor for HNSCC. HPV-positive HNSCC represent a distinct group of diseases that differ in their clinical presentation. These lesions are well-differentiated, occur at an early age, and have better prognosis. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a specific increase in the proportions of the HPV-positive HNSCC. HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC lesions display different disease progression and clinical response. For tumorigenic-transformation, HPV essentially requires a permissive cellular environment and host cell factors for induction of viral transcription. As the spectrum of host factors is independent of HPV infection at the time of viral entry, presumably entry of HPV only selects host cells that are permissive to establishment of HPV infection. Growing evidence suggest that HPV plays a more active role in a subset of HNSCC, where they are transcriptionally-active. A variety of factors provide a favorable environment for HPV to become transcriptionally-active. The most notable are the set of transcription factors that have direct binding sites on the viral genome. As HPV does not have its own transcription machinery, it is fully dependent on host transcription factors to complete the life cycle. Here, we review and evaluate the current evidence on level of a subset of host transcription factors that influence viral genome, directly or indirectly, in HNSCC. Since many of these transcription factors can independently promote carcinogenesis, the composition of HPV permissive transcription factors in a tumor can serve as a surrogate marker of a separate molecularly-distinct class of HNSCC lesions including those cases, where HPV could not get a chance to infect but may manifest better prognosis.

Peroxiredoxin 2 is highly expressed in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells and is upregulated by human papillomavirus oncoproteins and arecoline, promoting proliferation

Peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) is upregulated in various cancers including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). It is a known tumor promoter in some cancers, but its role in OSCC is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of arecoline, an alkaloid of the betel nut, and human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6/E7 oncoproteins on induction of PRDX2 expression, and also the effects of PRDX2 overexpression in oral cell lines. Levels of PRDX2 protein were determined using western blot analysis of samples of exfoliated normal oral cells (n = 75) and oral lesion cells from OSCC cases (n = 75). Some OSCC cases were positive for HPV infection and some patients had a history of betel quid chewing. To explore the level of PRDX2 by western blot, the proteins were extracted from oral cell lines that were treated with arecoline or retroviruses containing HPV16 E6 gene and HPV16 E6/E7 expressing vector. For analysis of PRDX2 functions, cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, apoptosis and migration was compared between oral cells overexpressing PRDX2 and cells with PRDX2-knockdown. PRDX2 expression levels tended to be higher in OSCC samples that were positive for HPV infection and had history of betel quid chewing. Arecoline treatment in vitro at low concentrations and overexpression of HPV16 E6 or E6/E7 in oral cells induced PRDX2 overexpression. Interestingly, in oral cells, PRDX2 promoted cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression (G2/M phase), cell migration and inhibited apoptosis. Upregulation of PRDX2 in oral cells was induced by arecoline and HPV16 oncoproteins and promoted growth of OSCC cells.

Autocrine STAT3 activation in HPV positive cervical cancer through a virus-driven Rac1-NFκB-IL-6 signalling axis

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Although the fundamental link between HPV infection and oncogenesis is established, the specific mechanisms of virus-mediated transformation are not fully understood. We previously demonstrated that the HPV encoded E6 protein increases the activity of the proto-oncogenic transcription factor STAT3 in primary human keratinocytes; however, the molecular basis for STAT3 activation in cervical cancer remains unclear. Here, we show that STAT3 phosphorylation in HPV positive cervical cancer cells is mediated primarily via autocrine activation by the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin 6 (IL-6). Antibody-mediated blockade of IL-6 signalling in HPV positive cells inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation, whereas both recombinant IL-6 and conditioned media from HPV positive cells leads to increased STAT3 phosphorylation within HPV negative cervical cancer cells. Interestingly, we demonstrate that activation of the transcription factor NFκB, involving the small GTPase Rac1, is required for IL-6 production and subsequent STAT3 activation. Our data provides new insights into the molecular re-wiring of cancer cells by HPV E6. We reveal that activation of an IL-6 signalling axis drives the autocrine and paracrine phosphorylation of STAT3 within HPV positive cervical cancers cells and that activation of this pathway is essential for cervical cancer cell proliferation and survival. Greater understanding of this pathway provides a potential opportunity for the use of existing clinically approved drugs for the treatment of HPV-mediated cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus infection in oral potentially malignant disorders and cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infects keratinocytes in the mucosa or skin, and persistent infection with HPV may lead to premalignant lesions and invasive cancer, especially cervical cancer. It has also been hypothesized that HPV infection is an etiological factor of oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral precancerous disorders such as lichen planus, leukoplakia, and erythroplakia. A high percentage of HPV in oral lesions supports the possible viral contribution, but an association of HPV infection with these lesions remains to be established. The current paper will update the latest progress of HPV infection in several oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma and discuss the impact of HPV infection on the progression of oral potentially malignant disorders.