Infection with
human papillomaviruses is associated with a series of benign and malignant hyperproliferative
diseases that impose a heavy burden on
human populations. A subgroup of mucosal
human papillomavirus types are associated with the majority of cervical
cancers and a relevant fraction of vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile and
head and
neck carcinomas.
Human papillomaviruses mediate
cell transformation by the expression of two pleiotropic
oncoproteins that alter major cellular regulatory pathways. However, these
viruses are not complete
carcinogens, and further alterations within the infected
cells and in their microenvironment are necessary for
tumor establishment and progression. Alterations in components of the
extracellular matrix for instance,
matrix metalloproteinases and some of their regulators such as
tissue inhibitors of
metalloproteinases, have been consistently reported in
human papillomaviruses-associated
diseases.
Matrix metalloproteinases function by
remodeling the
extracellular matrix and alterations in their expression levels and/or activity are associated with
pathological processes and clinical variables including local
tumor invasion,
metastasis,
tumor relapse and overall
patient prognosis and
survival. In this
review we present a summarized discussion on the current data concerning the impact of
human papillomavirus infection on the activity and expression of
extracellular matrix components. We further
comment on the possibility of targeting
extracellular matrix molecules in experimental
treatment protocols.