Identification in human brain tumors of DNA sequences specific for SV40 large T antigen

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1999

Authors

Huang, HT (Author) Other; Reis, R (Author) Other; Yonekawa, Y (Author) Other; Lopes, JM (Author) FMUP; Kleihues, P (Author) Other; Ohgaki, H (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Brain Pathology

Vol. 9

Pages: 33-42

ISSN: 1015-6305

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 82 Citations

Scopus - 88 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-5DN

DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.1999.tb00207.x

Abstract (EN): Simian virus 40 (SV40) sequences have recently been identified in a variety of human neoplasms, including mesothelioma, osteosarcoma, and brain tumors, but significant discrepancies exist regarding the frequency at which this occurs. The SV40 genome is 70% homologous to JC and BK, two related polyomaviruses that are highly prevalent in humans and which may cause in immune-compromised patients progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and cystitis, respectively. We have established a specific and sensitive method to identify SV40 sequence in DNA extracted from histological sections, using PCR followed by Southern hybridization to probes specific to the large T region. We found SV40 large T antigen sequences in all brain tumor types investigated. High frequencies were found in low-grade astrocytomas, anaplastic astrocytomas and secondary glioblastomas derived thereof (13/22, 59%) while somewhat lower frequencies were found in gemistocytic astrocytomas (9/28, 32%) and oligodendrogliomas (3/12, 25%). Primary glioblastomas, giant cell glioblastomas, and gliosarcomas, which clinically develop de novo, contained SV40 sequences in 11-25% of cases. Presence of viral DNA was also observed in pediatric brain tumors, including ependymomas (9/16, 56%), choroid plexus papillomas (6/16, 38%), and medulloblastomas (5/17, 29%). In 8 tumor biopsies with SV40 sequences, the adjacent normal brain tissue was also analyzed but was devoid of viral DNA in all but one case. BK and JC virus sequences were rarely detected, the overall frequencies being 3% and 2%, respectively. It remains to be shown whether the presence of SV40 contributes significantly to malignant transformation or whether certain human neoplasms provide a microenvironment that favors viral replication in humans with latent SV40 infection.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10