Giuseppe Di Benedetto and Vincenzo Maccallini
Objective: The aim of our work was to identify by Western Blot technique (WB) the oncoproteins generated by E6 and E7 genes of high risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV), resulting from integration of viral genomes into cervical cell DNA and their interactions with tumor suppressor human proteins p53 and pRb in premalignant or malignant cervical lesions.
Methods: The study was performed on 2,500 women from Caserta Local Health Authority who underwent cervical cytology from June 2010 to September 2011. Informed consent of participants was obtained. The cell samples taken by brushing were stored in liquid based cytology (LBC) and in physiological solution for WB analysis. Cytology diagnoses was based on 2001 Bethesda classification. Proteomic research was performed according to size after extraction and SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) electrophoresis. Proteins of interest were detected by primary monoclonal antibodies and WB analysis.
Results: Cytology results of 2,500 women were positive for abnormalities of epithelial cells in 3.1%. Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) were 1.3%, Low Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (L-SIL) 1.7% and High Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (H-SIL) or worse 0.2%. The integration of E6 and E7 genes with their oncoproteins expression were found in 3.1% of ASC-US and in all cases of SIL or worse. On the other hand positive interactions of E6/p53 proteins and E7/pRb were found in 4.8% of L-SIL, in 75.0% of H-SIL or worse and in no ASC-US.
Conclusions: Results show that the integration of viral genomes (E6 and E7) is present in all H-SIL or worse and in several L-SIL, but only the most advanced lesions, histologically confirmed, have shown the E6/p53 interaction and E7/pRb. Our protocol allows a selection of women with advanced lesions toward cancer to obtain appropriate management.
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