BCL-2-related apoptosis markers in cutaneous human papillomavirus-associated lesions.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is an etiological agent in benign and malignant epithelial tumors. Resistance to apoptotic stimuli by viral strategies represents an immunologic escape mechanism during virus-induced tumor development and is critical for efficient replication of the virus.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the present study was to investigate a role of bcl-family proteins in the anti-apoptotic pathways modulated by low-risk HPVs in the development of benign HPV-associated cutaneous tumors.

METHODS:

Forty lesional biopsy specimens from HPV-associated cutaneous lesions and 11 non-lesional control skin biopsies were studied by immunohistochemical analysis for the differential expressions of HPV antigens, the pro-apoptotic bax protein, and the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 and bcl-x proteins.

RESULTS:

Compared with the normal epidermis, bcl-2 and bcl-x expression were significantly reduced in the lesional epidermis. Bax was expressed in HPV-associated cutaneous lesions, although the expression did not reveal a significant deviation from that in normal skin.

CONCLUSION:

These findings indicate a discordant expression of bcl-2/ bcl-x and bax proteins in HPV-associated skin lesions and suggest that low-risk HPVs mediate other pathways that bypass the action of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 and bcl-x proteins. The presence of bax expression with a prominent decrease in bcl-2/ bax ratio and the lack of massive apoptosis in HPV-associated benign epithelial lesions may imply that interference with the pro-apoptotic proteins of bcl-family may constitute one of the several mechanisms mediated by HPV oncoproteins for the suppression of apoptotic process.

• Authors: Emel Erkek, Onder Bozdoğan, Pinar Atasoy, Ahu Birol, Mukadder Koçak
• Journal: The American Journal of dermatopathology (Am J Dermatopathol) Vol. 26 Issue 2 Pg. 113-8 (Apr 2004) ISSN: 0193-1091 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15024192 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Viral
• BAX protein, human
• BCL2L1 protein, human
• Biomarkers
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• bcl-X Protein

Topics

• Antigens, Viral (analysis)
• Apoptosis
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Papillomaviridae (immunology, isolation & purification)
• Papillomavirus Infections (metabolism, pathology)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (metabolism)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (metabolism)
• Retrospective Studies
• Skin Diseases, Viral (metabolism, pathology)
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• bcl-X Protein