The E6E7 oncoproteins of cutaneous human papillomavirus type 38 interfere with the interferon pathway

Cordano, P., Gillan, V. , Bratlie, S., Bouvard, V., Banks, L., Tommasino, M. and Campo, M.S. (2008) The E6E7 oncoproteins of cutaneous human papillomavirus type 38 interfere with the interferon pathway. Virology, 377(2), pp. 408-418. (doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2008.04.036)

Abstract

Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most frequent malignancy in Caucasian populations. Evidence suggests the involvement of cutaneous Human Papillomavirus (HPV) of the genus beta () in this disease. The ability of E6 and E7 of mucosal HPV to promote cellular transformation and inhibit immune response-related pathways plays a key role in cervical carcinogenesis.  HPV-38 E6 and E7 display transforming activities in in vitro and in vivo models, but their impact on immune surveillance is unknown. Here we show that HPV-38 E6 and E7 affect the IFN-induced up-regulation of MHC class I. Expression of the two viral proteins in HaCaT keratinocytes led to a decrease of MHC I levels. This down-regulation is associated with a reduction of expression of MHC I heavy chain, of the peptide chaperone TAP and of the STAT-1 downstream effector IRF-1. The down-regulation of these proteins is ultimately due to the inhibition of STAT-1 expression. Analysis of cells expressing either HPV-38 E6 or E7 suggests that these effects are primarily the result of E6 expression, although a contribution by E7 cannot be excluded. We conclude that HPV-38 encodes oncoproteins that potentially contribute to the evasion of host immune surveillance.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: HPV-38, E6, E7, interferon pathway, immunoevasion
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Campo, Professor Saveria and Cordano, Dr Pablo and Gillan, Dr Victoria
• Authors: Cordano, P., Gillan, V., Bratlie, S., Bouvard, V., Banks, L., Tommasino, M., and Campo, M.S.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology; R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Research Group: Papillomavirus Research Group
• Journal Name: Virology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0042-6822
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2008 Elsevier
• First Published: First published in Virology 377(2):408-418
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher