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Detection of JC virus DNA sequences and expression of viral T antigen and agnoprotein in esophageal carcinoma†

  1. Luis Del Valle M.D.1,
  2. Martyn K. White D.Phil.1,
  3. Sahnila Enam1,
  4. Sergio Piña Oviedo M.D.1,
  5. Matthew Q. Bromer M.D.2,
  6. Rebecca M. Thomas M.D.3,
  7. Henry P. Parkman M.D.2,
  8. Kamel Khalili Ph.D.1,‡,*

Article first published online: 3 JAN 2005

DOI: 10.1002/cncr.20806

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Volume 103, Issue 3, pages 516–527, 1 February 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Del Valle, L., White, M. K., Enam, S., Oviedo, S. P., Bromer, M. Q., Thomas, R. M., Parkman, H. P. and Khalili, K. (2005), Detection of JC virus DNA sequences and expression of viral T antigen and agnoprotein in esophageal carcinoma. Cancer, 103: 516–527. doi: 10.1002/cncr.20806

Author Information

  1. 1

    Center for Neurovirology and Cancer Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  2. 2

    Gastroenterology Section, School of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  3. 3

    Pathology Department, School of Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  1. ‡

    Fax: (215) 204-0679

*Center for Neurovirology and Cancer Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, 1900 North 12th Street, 015-96, BioLife Sciences Building, Room 203, Philadelphia, PA 19122

  1. †

    Samples were obtained from the Pathology Department of Temple University Hospital.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 JAN 2005
  2. Article first published online: 3 JAN 2005
  3. Manuscript Revised: 8 OCT 2004
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 8 OCT 2004
  5. Manuscript Received: 28 MAY 2004

Funded by

  • National Institutes of Health

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Keywords:

  • polyomavirus;
  • oncogenesis;
  • catenins;
  • T antigen;
  • agnoprotein

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The human polyomavirus JC virus (JCV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Subclinical infection with JCV occurs in 85–90% of the population worldwide. The virus usually remains latent but can reactivate under immunosuppressive conditions, resulting in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. JCV is oncogenic in experimental animals and is associated with human brain tumors. JCV is found in normal mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, and some colon carcinomas express the oncogenic JCV T-antigen protein. The objective of this study was to examine the presence of JCV DNA sequences and JCV protein expression in normal and malignant human esophageal tissues.

METHODS

The authors examined the presence of JCV DNA sequences and protein expression in normal and malignant human esophageal tissues. Seventy well characterized biopsy specimens from patients with a spectrum of esophageal disorders were studied by immunohistochemistry, and 18 specimens were analyzed further by polymerase chain reaction amplification.

RESULTS

JC viral DNA was isolated from 11 of 13 normal esophageal biopsy specimens (85%) and from 5 of 5 esophageal carcinomas (100%). Using immunohistochemistry, JCV T antigen was detected in 10 of 19 carcinomas (53%), agnoprotein was detected in 8 carcinomas (42%), p53 tumor suppressor was detected in 11 carcinomas (58%), and β-catenin was detected in 4 carcinomas (21%). Zero of 51 normal, benign, and premalignant esophageal samples expressed viral proteins. Laser-capture microdissection verified the presence and specificity of JCV DNA sequences. β-Catenin and p53 were colocalized with JCV T-antigen in the nuclei of neoplastic cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide evidence for infection of gastrointestinal tract cells by JCV and suggest a potential role of JCV in the development of upper digestive tract carcinomas. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.

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