Molecular methods for a correct diagnosis of multiple HPV infections and clinical implications for vaccine.

INTRODUCTION: The human papillomavirus (HPV) family is characterized by minimal genotypic differences corresponding to different virus types. The aim of this study was to detect the HPV coinfections and the inner genotype in a series of 336 cervical-vaginal samples. METHODS: A total of 336 cervical-vaginal samples were taken from 2007 to 2009 using specific molecular techniques such as molecular sequencing and hybridizations. The genome amplification of the L1 open reading frame was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction; direct sequencing was performed by SYBR green fluorescent molecule and degenerate primers MY09 and MY11. The HPV genotyping was accomplished via oligonucleotide probe hybridization. The phylogenetic correlations in coinfections were analyzed by sequence homology of the L1 genomic region. Identified genotypes were then compared. RESULTS: Human papillomavirus positivity was observed in 125 cases (37.2%), with 21 cases (16.8%) of HPV presence in coinfections. Coinfections involved HPV 16 genotype (8 cases) and HPV 18 (5 cases). The HPV 16 infection was mainly associated with genotypes with a lower-than-broad sequence homology, so the HPV 18 was linked to genotypes represented in the opposite phylogenetic tree. CONCLUSIONS: The combined and steady use of diagnostic procedures, such as real-time polymerase chain reaction, molecular hybridization, direct sequencing, and HPV genotyping test, allow accurate diagnosis of monoinfections and coinfections. This may faciliate the development of specific viral tests and prophylactic anti-HPV vaccines.

HPV viral activity by mRNA-HPV molecular analysis to screen the transforming infections in precancer cervical lesions.

INTRODUCTION: a current problem with the Human papillomavirus (HPV) genital infection is to detect HPV presence and activity in high risk women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 190 women at risk for HPV-infection underwent a Pap Test as well as a cervico-vaginal mucus sample analysis. The genome amplification of ORF L1 was by REAL-Time PCR by direct sequencing in capillary elettrophoresis of amplified product in Real Time (by ABI PRISM((R)) 310 Genetic Analyzer, Applied Biosystem, USA), followed by HPV genotyping using oligonucleotide probe hybridization. Degenerate primers My09/11, with 450 bp product amplified were utilized in Real Time and in Direct Sequencing. Furthermore, samples were evaluated by mRNA-HPV test to detect the presence of E6 and E7 transcripts. The results were compared with cytology. RESULTS: a total of 62 women were positive for HPV infection (32.6%) and 19 of these had one or more high-risk HPVs (30.6%); the concordance between the two assays was 78.9%, with 21.1% of totally or partially discordant results. Cytological results showed mRNA presence in 4 low grade and 2 high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. CONCLUSION: the results suggest the potential of E6/E7 detection to target the presence of a transforming HPV infection.

Multiple pathways for cationic amino acid transport in rat thyroid epithelial cell line PC Cl3.

Information regarding cationic amino acid transport systems in thyroid is limited to Northern blot detection of y(+)LAT1 mRNA in the mouse. This study investigated cationic amino acid transport in PC cell line clone 3 (PC Cl3 cells), a thyroid follicular cell line derived from a normal Fisher rat retaining many features of normal differentiated follicular thyroid cells. We provide evidence that in PC Cl3 cells plasmalemmal transport of cationic amino acids is Na+ independent and occurs, besides diffusion, with the contribution of high-affinity, carrier-mediated processes. Carrier-mediated transport is via y+, y(+)L, and b(0,+) systems, as assessed by L-arginine uptake and kinetics, inhibition of L-arginine transport by N-ethylmaleimide and neutral amino acids, and L-cystine transport studies. y(+)L and y(+) systems account for the highest transport rate (with y(+)L > y+) and b(0,+) for a residual fraction of the transport. Uptake data correlate to expression of the genes encoding for CAT-1, CAT-2B, 4F2hc, y(+)LAT1, y(+)LAT2, rBAT, and b(0,+)AT, an expression profile that is also shown by the rat thyroid gland. In PC Cl3 cells cationic amino acid uptake is under TSH and/or cAMP control (with transport increasing with increasing TSH concentration), and upregulation of CAT-1, CAT-2B, 4F2hc/y(+)LAT1, and rBAT/b(0,+)AT occurs at the mRNA level under TSH stimulation. Our results provide the first description of an expression pattern of cationic amino acid transport systems in thyroid cells. Furthermore, we provide evidence that extracellular L-arginine is a crucial requirement for normal PC Cl3 cell growth and that long-term L-arginine deprivation negatively influences CAT-2B expression, as it correlates to reduction of CAT-2B mRNA levels.