Influence of chronic bocavirus infection on the gene expression in OPSCC

Introduction:

The human bocavirus (HBoV), causing respiratory tract infections, is known to persist latently in the infected host cells. Because HBoV induces pro-fibrotic and pro- cancerogenic cytokines, and is detected in colorectal and lung tumors, HBoV may be involved in cancerogenesis at least as a cofactor. Recently it was shown that the adenotonsillar tissue is an important site of HBoV1 persistence and replication. Considering the background that approximately 60% of oropharyngeal cancers were thought to be attributable to a HPV infection, a co-participation of HBoV in terms of a chronic virus infection might play a role in the cancerogenesis of tonsil squamous cell carcinomas.

Methods:

By use of a cell culture model with primary tonsil fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and lymphocytes infected by HBoV we tried to find the target cells of virus replication. Gene expression analysis of human focal adhesion and extracellular matrix proteins in 3 different virus infected tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma groups (HBoV-/HPV-; HBoV+/HPV-; HBoV+/HPV+) was performed.

Results:

In keratinocytes we observed a virus replication after 3 days in accordance with the typical virus growth curve. Virus replication in fibroblasts and lymphocytes was not detectable. Moreover, we observed an HBoV specific upregulation of the expression of the ADAMTS8 in tonsil squamous cell carcinoma tissue and a downregulation of RAP1A.

Conclusion:

Our findings support the hypothesis that human bocavirus infections as a cofactor may have an impact on tumor development in tonsils, although it still remains possible that HBoV solely displays a tumor tropism.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)