Maria Teresa Perra

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in pterygia from different geographical regions

Background/aims: The aetiology and pathogenesis of pterygia remain unclear and the involvement of human papillomavirus (HPV) is controversial. 41 pterygia from two geographic locations were evaluated for the presence of HPV DNA. Methods: 41 pterygium biopsies (17 from Italy and 24 from Ecuador) were analysed using the L1C1 and PU-1ML primer sets by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis. Results: 22 of the 41 pterygia (54%) were positive for HPV, including all 17 Italian cases and 5/24 (21%) Ecuadorean cases. DNA sequencing of the 22 positive cases showed that 11 were HPV type 52, four were type 54, five were candHPV90, and two of unknown genotype. Conclusions: The major differences in the frequency of HPV in geographically distant populations might suggest a possible explanation for the vast differences in the reported detection rates. Three subtypes of HPV were found in this sample of pterygia. None the less, these results suggest that HPV may have a pathogenic role in pterygium.

Nuclear survivin is associated with disease recurrence and poor survival in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma

Aims:  Survivin is expressed in neoplastic cells and appears to be associated with resistance to therapy and shorter survival in various types of tumours. The aim of the present study was to determine whether nuclear or cytoplasmic expression of survivin is related to disease recurrence and overall survival of patients with Stage I and II melanoma according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection in women in Benin, West Africa

BackgroundCervical cancer ranks as the first most frequent cancer among women in Benin. The major cause of cervical cancer now recognized is persistent infection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). In Benin there is a lack of screening programs for prevention of cervical cancer and little information exists regarding HPV genotype distribution.MethodsCervical cells from 725 women were examined for the presence of viral DNA by means of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multiplex-based assay with the amplification of a fragment of L1 region and of E6/E7 region of the HPV genome, and of abnormal cytology by Papanicolaou method. The association between HPV status and Pap test reports was evaluated. Socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics were also related.ResultsA total of 18 different HPV types were identified, with a prevalence of 33.2% overall, and 52% and 26.7% among women with and without cervical lesions, respectively. Multiple HPV infections were observed in 40.2% of HPV-infected women. In the HPV-testing group, the odds ratio for the detection of abnormal cytology was 2.98 (95% CI, 1.83-4.84) for HPV positive in comparison to HPV negative women. High risk types were involved in 88% of infections, most notably HPV-59, HPV-35, HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-58 and HPV-45. In multiple infections of women with cytological abnormalities HPV-45 predominated.ConclusionsThis study provides the first estimates of the prevalence of HPV and type-specific distribution among women from Benin and demonstrates that the epidemiology of HPV infection in Benin is different from that of other world regions. Specific area vaccinations may be needed to prevent cervical cancer and the other HPV-related diseases.

Expression of survivin protein in pterygium and relationship with oxidative DNA damage

Ultraviolet radiation is known to cause oxidative DNA damage and is thought to be a major factor implicated in the pathogenesis of pterygium. Among all the photo‐oxidative DNA products, the 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) is regarded a sensitive and stable biomarker for evaluating the degree of DNA damage. The protein p53 is a major cell stress regulator that acts to integrate signals from a wide range of cellular stresses. UV radiation has a carcinogenic effect resulting in DNA damaged cells with loss of normal growth control. This assumption is supported by the association between UV‐B exposure and activation of survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family (IAP), highly up‐regulated in almost all types of human malignancy. In this study we demonstrate, for the first time in pterygium, the immunohistochemical presence of survivin, and investigate the correlation between survivin, p53 and 8‐OHdG. Our results demonstrate that oxidative stress could lead to a significant activation of survivin expression, suggesting that this might be an important event in the development of pterygium, inducing and supporting a hyperproliferative condition. Survivin expression in pterygium would counteract UV‐B‐induced apoptosis and would cooperate with loss of p53. The co‐operation between survivin and functional loss of p53 might provide a general mechanism for aberrant inhibition of apoptosis that could be responsible for the development of pterygium and its possible progression to neoplasia.

Photodynamic therapy of pterygium with verteporfin: a preliminary report.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of treating pterygia by photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin (Visudyne®). Materials and Methods: Ten consecutive patients with primary, recurrent, or secondary pterygium, refusing excisional surgery, were treated with a 689-nm laser delivered directly onto the pterygium after verteporfin infusion. Postoperative outcome was followed clinically and photographically for a minimum of 3 months. Results: Successful photothrombosis of pterygium vascularization was obtained immediately after treatment in all cases. After 1 month, revascularization of pterygia was observed in 70% of cases, and treatment was repeated after a 3-month interval. Regression or stabilization of pterygia was manifested by a scarring reaction of the corneal apex with complete or partial disappearance of vascularity. No relevant side effects were observed in our series. Conclusion: PDT with verteporfin is a safe procedure to arrest the growth of pterygia. It is indicated for patients with a low- or medium-grade pterygium that refuse a surgical approach; however, multiple sessions may be required.

Erythropoietin is involved in angiogenesis in human primary melanoma

In this study, the extent of angiogenesis, evaluated as microvascular volume density, immunoreactivity of tumour cells to erythropoietin (Epo) and of endothelial cells to Epo receptor (EpoR) have been correlated in human primary melanoma specimens. Results showed that Epo/EpoR expression correlate with angiogenesis and tumour thickness. These findings suggest that Epo is secreted by tumour cells and it affects vascular endothelial cells via its receptor and promotes angiogenesis in a paracrine manner, playing an important role in melanoma angiogenesis.

Subcellular Localization of Epidermal Growth Factor in Human Submandibular Gland

Epidermal growth factor in human submandibular gland was localized at the subcellular level by means of an immunogold staining method. Labelling was observed in serous acini and ducts. In the acini, gold particles were found within secretory granules, indicating that the growth factor is released into the saliva through granule exocytosis. In the ductal system, the most intense reactivity was revealed in the principal cells of striated ducts. In these cells, an abundant population of small cytoplasmic vesicles was specifically stained. Immunoreactive vesicles were found both apically and basally, suggesting that ductal cells can release their products not only into the saliva but also into the interstitium.

Local immune response in the skin of the external auditory meatus: An immunohistochemical study

Cerumen plays an important role in the protection of the external auditory meatus against several kinds of damage. Its hydrophobic properties, due to the high concentration of lipids, shelter the canal from physical damages, while other components probably protect against certain microbial strains. Nevertheless there has been considerable dispute in the literature with regard to the antibacterial activity of cerumen. Because of the importance of the role of immunoglobulins (Ig) in local defense mechanisms, we attempted to study, by immunohistochemical methods, the presence and localization of the cells necessary to activate an Ig‐mediated immune response and the epithelial expression of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in order to obtain information about a local immune response in those areas of the skin that take part in cerumen production. Our findings indicate that in the human skin of the external auditory canal the cells necessary to activate an antibody‐mediated immune response were localized in the different layers of the epidermis and/or in the dermis surrounding the sebaceous and ceruminous glands and the piliary follicle, while an intense immunoreactivity for IgA and IgG was observed in the epithelial layers of the skin. The results suggest that the external auditory canal is protected from the insults of pathogens by an antibody‐mediated local immune response, because all the effector components of an active local immune system are present. Microsc. Res. Tech. 38:329–334, 1997.

Immunohistochemical study of secretory IgA in the human male reproductive tract.

Summary. Male human genital tract was treated for the immunohistochemical demonstration of secretory IgA in order to verify its own possible antimicrobial properties. An intensely positive immunoreaction for sIgA in the epithelial cells of prostate and urethral glands was observed; in the same organs the presence of immunoreactive cell clusters in the subepithelial layers was noted. Immunostaining in the epithelia of deferent duct, seminal vesicle, deferential ampulla, ejaculatory duct and bulbourethral glands was absent. The findings suggest that a local immune response sIgA‐mediated is present in the lower male genital tract.

Histochemical study of the human bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands

Summary. Human bulbourethral glands were reacted histochemically and immunohistochemically to identify glycoproteins, some androgen metabolic enzymes, and VIP‐like immunoreactivity. Neutral/acid mucosubstances were detected in the cytoplasm of the tubuloalveolar and ductal cells. 3β‐, 17β‐, and 3α‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, G6PD, and 6PGD reactivity were intense in all the glandular epithelium. Small amounts of VIP‐positive fibres were observed around the secretory elements.