A Novel Association Between Human Papillomavirus and Thyroid Eye Disease

Context

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune disease characterized by orbital inflammation and tissue remodeling. TED pathogenesis is poorly understood but is linked to autoantibodies to thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R).

Objective

To explore the potential involvement of viral infections in TED pathogenesis.

Methods

Using NCBI BLAST, we compared human TSHR and IGF-1R proteins to various viral proteomes, including Papillomaviridae , Paramyxoviridae , Herpesviridae , Enterovirus , Polyomaviridae , and Rhabdoviridae . Enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) were performed on orbital adipose tissue samples from 22 TED patients and controls to quantify antiviral antibody titers. Demographics and clinical data were reviewed.

Results

Homology analysis revealed conserved motifs between TSHR and IGF-1R with several viral proteins, particularly the human papillomavirus 18 (HPV18) L1 capsid protein. Basic demographic and clinical information between the cohorts were comparable. ELISAs showed statistically significant differences in the average HPV18 L1 IgG normalized optical density levels among tissues of control ( M = 0.9387, SD = 0.3548), chronic TED ( M = 2.305, SD = 1.064), and active acute TED ( M = 4.087, SD = 2.034) patients. These elevated HPV18 L1 IgG titers did not statistically correlate with TSH, T4, or TSI levels, and were elevated in TED patients irrespective of treatment with teprotumumab, indicating a direct immunological response to HPV.

Conclusions

This study presents the first molecular evidence linking HPV and TED, highlighting molecular mimicry between HPV capsid protein and key autoimmunity targets in TED. This suggests an immunological link contributing to TED's pathogenesis, opening new avenues for understanding and managing the disease.

Unraveling the Complex Nexus of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Extragenital Keratinocyte Skin Tumors: A Comprehensive Analysis of Bowen's Disease and In Situ Squamous-Cell Carcinoma

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate landscape surrounding the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in extragenital keratinocyte skin tumors, specifically exploring Bowen's disease (BD) and in situ squamous-cell carcinoma (iSCC). Through a multifaceted examination, this research study elucidates the nuanced interplay of HPV, gender dynamics, anatomical site variations, and potential implications for the etiopathogenesis of these malignancies.

Application of the Bethesda system of reporting for cervical cytology to evaluate human papilloma virus induced changes in oral leukoplakia, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A cytomorphological and genetic study

BACKGROUND

Human papilloma virus (HPV) has a well-established carcinogenic role in certain head and neck cancers. These HPV associated cancers possess unique clinicopathological behavior and exhibits better prognosis than their negative counterparts. Detection through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been considered as the "gold standard" but imposes burden in low resource settings. Therefore, in the present study, we assessed the validity of cytomorphological features for the detection of HPV in oral leukoplakia (OL), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

METHODOLOGY

This study included 63 subjects comprising of 25 OL, 26 OSCC, and 12 OPSCC cases. Exfoliated cells were collected and processed for PCR followed by Papanicolaou staining and subsequent grading. Additionally the non-classical signs were evaluated and statistical analysis included Chi-square and Spearman's test.

RESULT

23/63 (36.5%) cases showed PCR positivity for HPV16. Most of the cytomorphological features showed significant correlation for the presence of HPV. A greater sensitivity and specificity was observed in the Bethesda system for reporting cervical cytology (TBS) than the Papanicolaou grading system.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the non-classic cytological features could be employed in the detection of HPV in low resource settings with improved sensitivity. Liquid based cytology graded using TBS could be suitable for oral cytology in the detection of early atypical changes.

Is bacterial vaginosis associated with autoimmune antibody positivity?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and autoimmune antibody positivity.

METHOD

We evaluated Papanicolaou-stained cervicovaginal smears of 210 patients with poor obstetric history who were admitted to a special preconception counselling programme. Cytological specimens with various types of microorganisms except for BV, epithelial cell abnormalities and other non-neoplastic findings, including inflammation were excluded from the cohort in addition to patients with autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. The remaining study population (n = 121) was divided into two groups of patients with autoimmune antibody positivity (study group, n = 80) and patients without antibody positivity (control group, n = 41).

RESULTS

The rate of BV was demonstrated to be 13.8% and 2.4% in the study and control groups respectively (P = .042). We also demonstrated that the anti-nuclear antibody was positive in 58.3% of the cases with BV.

CONCLUSION

BV was found more frequently in patients with autoimmune antibody positivity to a statistically significant degree.

Association of human papillomavirus infection and inflammation in cervical cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers, and in particular cervical cancer, are considered to be directly stimulated by HPV oncogenes. Alternatively, these types of cancers could also be indirectly stimulated by HPV-induced chronic inflammations, which in turn are also caused by HPV oncogenes activity. Chronic inflammation is associated with repeated tissue injury and development of mutations in the vital tumor suppressor genes. Thus, it is important to understand that the persistent HPV infection and its associated chronic inflammation is responsible for the progression of HPV-induced cancers. HPV E5, E6 and E7 could upregulate the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin (PG) E2 followed by the activation of the COX-PG pathway. This pathway is assumed to be the main cause of HPV-induced inflammation. Additionally, HPV oncogenes could have an impact on the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in HPV-positive patients. The upregulation of such cytokines accelerates the incidence of inflammation following HPV infection. Other factors such as microRNAs, which are involved in the inflammation pathways and aging, give rise to the increased level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and could also be responsible for the acceleration of HPV-induced inflammation and consequent cervical cancer. In this review, the exact roles of HPV oncogenes in the occurrence of inflammation in cervical tissue, and the effects of other factors in this event are evaluated.