Immunohistochemical Detection of early and late Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) proteins in Retinoblastoma tumors

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the presence of early and late Human Papillomavirus (HPV) proteins in retinoblastoma Brazilian patients. For this, 8 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded retinoblastoma tissue blocks were used. HPV DNA presence was determined by in situ hybridization (ISH). Immunohistochemistry were performed to verify HPV16/18 E6, E1^E4, and L1 proteins. HPV was detected in all retinoblastoma tumors and viral DNA was labeled in tumor cells, retinal layers and optical nerve structures. In addition, E1^E4, E6 and L1 proteins were detected in all samples in the same areas where HPV DNA was detected. Our data showed the presence and expression of early and late HPV proteins in retinoblastoma tumors from Brazilian children. However, further studies should be performed to clarify the role of HPV infection in retinoblastoma tumor.