Involvement of CFTR in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension

INTRODUCTION

A reduction in pulmonary artery (PA) relaxation is a key event in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) pathogenesis. CFTR dysfunction in airway epithelial cells plays a central role in cystic fibrosis (CF); CFTR is also expressed in PAs and has been shown to control endothelium-independent relaxation.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

We aimed to delineate the role of CFTR in PAH pathogenesis through observational and interventional experiments in human tissues and animal models.

METHODS AND RESULTS

RT-Q-PCR, confocal imaging and electron microscopy showed that CFTR expression was reduced in PAs from patients with idiopathic PAH (iPAH) and in rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). Moreover, using myograph on human, pig and rat PAs, we demonstrated that CFTR activation induces PAs relaxation. CFTR-mediated PA relaxation was reduced in PAs from iPAH patients and rats with monocrotaline- or chronic hypoxia-induced PH. Long-term in vivo CFTR inhibition in rats significantly increased right ventricular systolic pressure, which was related to exaggerated pulmonary vascular cell proliferation in situ and vessel neomuscularization. Pathologic assessment of lungs from patients with severe CF (F508del-CFTR) revealed severe PA remodeling with intimal fibrosis and medial hypertrophy. Lungs from homozygous F508delCftr rats exhibited pulmonary vessel neomuscularization. The elevations in right ventricular systolic pressure and end diastolic pressure in monocrotaline-exposed rats with chronic CFTR inhibition were more prominent than those in vehicle-exposed rats.

CONCLUSIONS

CFTR expression is strongly decreased in PA smooth muscle and endothelial cells in human and animal models of PH. CFTR inhibition increases vascular cell proliferation and strongly reduces PA relaxation.

Characterization of Kcnk3-Mutated Rat, a Novel Model of Pulmonary Hypertension

RATIONALE

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a severe lethal cardiopulmonary disease. Loss of function mutations in KCNK3 (potassium channel subfamily K member 3) gene, which encodes an outward rectifier K⁺ channel, have been identified in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.

OBJECTIVE

We have demonstrated that KCNK3 dysfunction is common to heritable and nonheritable pulmonary arterial hypertension and to experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH). Finally, KCNK3 is not functional in mouse pulmonary vasculature.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we generated a 94 bp out of frame deletion in exon 1 of Kcnk3 gene and characterized these rats at the electrophysiological, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, morphological, cellular, and molecular levels to decipher the cellular mechanisms associated with loss of KCNK3. Using patch-clamp technique, we validated our transgenic strategy by demonstrating the absence of KCNK3 current in freshly isolated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from Kcnk3-mutated rats. At 4 months of age, echocardiographic parameters revealed shortening of the pulmonary artery acceleration time associated with elevation of the right ventricular systolic pressure. Kcnk3-mutated rats developed more severe PH than wild-type rats after monocrotaline exposure or chronic hypoxia exposure. Kcnk3-mutation induced a lung distal neomuscularization and perivascular extracellular matrix activation. Lungs of Kcnk3-mutated rats were characterized by overactivation of ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase1-/2), AKT (protein kinase B), SRC, and overexpression of HIF1-α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α), survivin, and VWF (Von Willebrand factor). Linked with plasma membrane depolarization, reduced endothelial-NOS expression and desensitization of endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor, Kcnk3-mutated rats presented predisposition to vasoconstriction of pulmonary arteries and a severe loss of sildenafil-induced pulmonary arteries relaxation. Moreover, we showed strong alteration of right ventricular cardiomyocyte excitability. Finally, Kcnk3-mutated rats developed age-dependent PH associated with low serum-albumin concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

We established the first Kcnk3-mutated rat model of PH. Our results confirm that KCNK3 loss of function is a key event in pulmonary arterial hypertension pathogenesis. This model presents new opportunities for understanding the initiating mechanisms of PH and testing biologically relevant therapeutic molecules in the context of PH.

Developmental patterning of the sub-epidermal integument cell layer in Arabidopsis seeds

Angiosperm seed development is a paradigm of tissue cross-talk. Proper seed formation requires spatial and temporal coordination of the fertilization products – embryo and endosperm – and the surrounding seed coat maternal tissue. In early Arabidopsis seed development, all seed integuments were thought to respond homogenously to endosperm growth. Here, we show that the sub-epidermal integument cell layer has a unique developmental program. We characterized the cell patterning of the sub-epidermal integument cell layer, which initiates a previously uncharacterized extra cell layer, and identified TRANSPARENT TESTA 16 and SEEDSTICK MADS box transcription factors as master regulators of its polar development and cell architecture. Our data indicate that the differentiation of the sub-epidermal integument cell layer is insensitive to endosperm growth alone and to the repressive mechanism established by FERTILIZATION INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM and MULTICOPY SUPPRESSOR OF IRA1 Polycomb group proteins. This work demonstrates the different responses of epidermal and sub-epidermal integument cell layers to fertilization.

Summary: The sub-epidermal integument cell layer of the Arabidopsis seed coat is insensitive to endosperm growth alone and displays a unique response to fertilization.

Endosperm and Nucellus Develop Antagonistically in Arabidopsis Seeds

In angiosperms, seed architecture is shaped by the coordinated development of three genetically different components: embryo, endosperm, and maternal tissues. The relative contribution of these tissues to seed mass and nutrient storage varies considerably among species. The development of embryo, endosperm, or nucellus maternal tissue as primary storage compartments defines three main typologies of seed architecture. It is still debated whether the ancestral angiosperm seed accumulated nutrients in the endosperm or the nucellus. During evolution, plants shifted repeatedly between these two storage strategies through molecular mechanisms that are largely unknown. Here, we characterize the regulatory pathway underlying nucellus and endosperm tissue partitioning in Arabidopsis thaliana We show that Polycomb-group proteins repress nucellus degeneration before fertilization. A signal initiated in the endosperm by the AGAMOUS-LIKE62 MADS box transcription factor relieves this Polycomb-mediated repression and therefore allows nucellus degeneration. Further downstream in the pathway, the TRANSPARENT TESTA16 (TT16) and GORDITA MADS box transcription factors promote nucellus degeneration. Moreover, we demonstrate that TT16 mediates the crosstalk between nucellus and seed coat maternal tissues. Finally, we characterize the nucellus cell death program and its feedback role in timing endosperm development. Altogether, our data reveal the antagonistic development of nucellus and endosperm, in coordination with seed coat differentiation.

Long term in vivo biotransformation of iron oxide nanoparticles

The long term outcome of nanoparticles in the organism is one of the most important concerns raised by the development of nanotechnology and nanomedicine. Little is known on the way taken by cells to process and degrade nanoparticles over time. In this context, iron oxide superparamagnetic nanoparticles benefit from a privileged status, because they show a very good tolerance profile, allowing their clinical use for MRI diagnosis. It is generally assumed that the specialized metabolism which regulates iron in the organism can also handle iron oxide nanoparticles. However the biotransformation of iron oxide nanoparticles is still not elucidated. Here we propose a multiscale approach to study the fate of nanomagnets in the organism. Ferromagnetic resonance and SQUID magnetization measurements are used to quantify iron oxide nanoparticles and follow the evolution of their magnetic properties. A nanoscale structural analysis by electron microscopy complements the magnetic follow-up of nanoparticles injected to mice. We evidence the biotransformation of superparamagnetic maghemite nanoparticles into poorly-magnetic iron species probably stored into ferritin proteins over a period of three months. A putative mechanism is proposed for the biotransformation of iron-oxide nanoparticles.

R-spondin1 is required for normal epithelial morphogenesis during mammary gland development

The R-spondin (Rspo) proteins constitute a novel class of ligands that induce Wnt signalling. Rspo1 knockout XX mice were previously shown to be sex-reversed, but some remain sub-fertile. These last were unable to feed their pups for some unknown reason. Using these mice and transplanted mammary tissues from Rspo1(-/-) virgin mice in nude mice, we report that the lack of Rspo1 expression results in the absence of duct side-branching development and subsequent alveolar formation, explaining the above mentioned phenotype. Our data demonstrate that local epithelial Rspo1 signalling is required for normal development of the mammary gland.

Role of bacterial peptidase F inferred by statistical analysis and further experimental validation

Despite the quantity of high-throughput data available nowadays, the precise role of many proteins has not been elucidated. Available methods for classifying proteins and reconstructing metabolic networks are efficient for finding global categories, but do not answer the biologist's specific and targeted questions. Following Yamanishi et al. [Yamanishi, Y, Vert, JP, Nakaya, A, and Kaneisha, M (2003). "Extraction of correlated clusters from multiple genomic data by generalized kernel canonical correlation analysis." Bioinformatics 19, Suppl. 1, i323-i330] we used a kernel canonical correlation analysis (KCCA) to predict the role of the bacterial peptidase PepF. We integrated five existing data types: protein metabolic networks, microarray data, phylogenetic profiles, distances between proteins and incomplete two-dimensional-gel data (for which we propose a completion strategy), available for Lactococcus lactis to determine relationships between proteins. The predicted relationships were then used to guide our laboratory work which proved most of the predictions correct. PepF had previously been characterized as a zinc dependent endopeptidase [Nardi, M, Renault, P, and Monnet, V (1997). "Duplication of the pepF gene and shuffling of DNA fragments on the lactose plasmid of Lactococcus lactis." J. Bacteriol. 179, 4164-4171; Monnet, V, Nardi, M, Chopin, MC, and Gripon, JC (1994). "Biochemical and genetic characterization of PepF on oligoendopeptidase from Lactococcus lactis." J. Bio. Chem. 269, 32070-32076]. Analyzing a PepF mutant, we confirmed its participation in protein secretion through a strong relationship between the signal peptidase I and PepF predicted by the KCCA. The global nature of our approach made it possible to discover pleiotropic roles of the protein which had remained unknown using classical approaches.

Ultrastructural evaluation of in vitro-matured canine oocytes

Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were recovered from ovaries of bitches during anoestrus. The ultrastructural organisation of COCs was determined before and after 72 h in vitro maturation (IVM) by transmission electron microscopy. The aim of the study was to determine the quality of oocytes used for IVM and to assess cytoplasmic maturation of IVM metaphase (M) II oocytes. In addition, we examined whether the oocytes that did not reach MII were engaged in an erratic maturation process or whether they were blocked during their progression through a normal maturation process. Before IVM, there were two populations of oocytes: (1) oocytes with a centrally located germinal vesicle, a transcriptionally active aspect and an immature cytoplasm; and (2) oocytes with an eccentric nucleus, a transcriptionally inactive aspect and a more mature cytoplasm. After IVM, most oocytes were still at the germinal vesicle stage with three different patterns and all showing a good synchronisation between nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. MI oocytes had a similar cytoplasmic maturation to that observed in vivo, but failed to complete meiosis; however, IVM MII oocytes had a very poor cytoplasmic maturation. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that even when nuclear maturation is achieved, cytoplasmic maturation may not be obtained in vitro. Thus, all IVM systems should be evaluated on both criteria.

Ultrastructure of canine oocytes during in vivo maturation

The aim of the present study was to describe the canine oocyte ultrastructural modifications during in vivo maturation, with precise reference to the timing of the LH surge and of ovulation. Twenty-five bitches were ovariectomized at specific stages between the onset of proestrus and the fifth day post-ovulation: 65 oocytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), either before the LH surge (n = 10), between the LH surge and ovulation (n = 12) or after ovulation (n = 43). Prior to the LH surge, the oocyte nucleus had already begun its displacement to the vicinity of the oolemma and reticulated nucleoli were infrequent. The cytoplasm showed signs of immaturity (few organelles preferentially located in the cortical zone, "mitochondrial cloud", scarce cortical granules). The LH surge was immediately followed by cumulus expansion but the ovulation occurred 2 days later. Retraction of the transzonal projections and the meiotic resumption occurred after another 3 days (5 days after the LH peak). The ovulation was then followed by gradual cytoplasmic modifications. Nucleoli re-assumed a reticulated aspect around 24 hr post-ovulation. From 48 hr post-ovulation mitochondria and SER were very numerous and evenly distributed. In conclusion canine oocyte maturation began prior to the LH surge and no cytoplasmic or nuclear modifications followed immediately the LH surge and ovulation. This study suggests that two distinct signals are needed for the final in vivo maturation: one prior to the LH surge (to induce maturation) and another one, around 3 days post-ovulation (to induce meiotic resumption).

Intrauterine oxytocin system. Compartmental distribution of oxytocin and oxytocin receptors in rat endometrial epithelium

At term, uterine epithelial cells express oxytocin (OT) as well as the OT receptor (OTR). Like other epithelial cells, uterine epithelial cells are polarized and sort secretory and membrane components to the apical or the basolateral cell surface. We have studied the subcellular localization of OT-like immunoreactivity (OT-IR) and OTR-IR in rat uterine epithelium by immuno-gold labelling of ultrathin frozen sections. Our observations indicate that OT and OTR are both distributed preferentially to the apical surface of rat uterine epithelial cells. OT-IR showed a 6-fold apical versus basolateral preference and was localized in apical secretory vesicles, suggesting that uterine OT is released by apical exocytosis. OTR-IR was localized to the apical surface with a 9-fold apical versus basolateral preference and was found specifically in association with apical microvilli. The present findings represent the first example of a G protein-coupled receptor that is preferentially localized on the microvillar compartment and support the concept of an autocrine uterine OT system at the apical side of the uterine epithelium.

Mutations in the primer grip of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase impair proviral DNA synthesis and virion maturation

This report describes the effects of mutating highly conserved residues in the primer grip domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (RT) on virus formation and infectivity. Among a series of RT mutant viruses, three (M230A, L234D, and W239A) were found to be noninfectious or very poorly infectious. Our data indicate that these mutations in RT caused severe defects in proviral DNA synthesis. Interestingly, assembly and maturation of mutant virus M230A were similar to those of the wild type, while mutants L234D and W239A showed impaired maturation. The immature morphology of RT mutants L234D and W239A is due at least in part to premature cleavage of the gag-pol precursor, prior to virion budding, indicating that intracellular stability of Pr160(gag-pol) is of key importance during virus assembly.

Cellular localization of the growth hormone receptor/binding protein in the human anterior pituitary gland

The increasing use of GH therapy has led to the description of its target cells in human tissues, but no data are yet available on the localization of the GH receptor in the human pituitary. In the present study, we used immunocytochemistry to detect the presence of GH receptor/binding protein (GHR/BP), and we examined its distribution among the different types of human anterior pituitary cells. Human pituitaries were taken from autopsies and were processed for embedding in paraffin wax. Immunocytochemistry was performed by using monoclonal antibody 263 raised against purified rat and rabbit GHR/BP, which cross-reacts with the human GH receptor. In order to determine the types of cells that display immunoreactivity for GHR/BP, adjacent pituitary sections were used to detect immunoreactivity for GH, PRL, ACTH, TSH, LH, and FSH. Several controls were carried out to verify the specificity of the immunostaining. Receptor immunoreactivity was found in the cytoplasm and nuclei of the somatotrophs, lactotrophs, and gonadotrophs but not in the thyrotrophs or corticotrophs. In order to demonstrate that the detected GHR/BP immunoreactivity was not caused solely by a cellular capture, we also investigated the cellular distribution of GHR gene expression. This was performed by in situ hybridization with use of complementary oligonucleotide radioactive probes encoding distinct domains of the GHR. Several tests were carried out to validate the detection of gene expression. In situ hybridization demonstrated the presence of GHR messenger RNAs in the anterior lobe of human pituitary, and examination of the signal strengthened the cell-specificity of GHR gene expression. These results demonstrate the presence of GHR/BP in discrete human pituitary cells and indicate a paracrine, autocrine, or intracrine role for GH in the pituitary.

Oxytocin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid: characterization, regulation, and cellular localization in the rat pituitary gland

The hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) stimulates the release of several pituitary hormones, including ACTH, LH, and PRL. Although specific OT receptors have been identified in anterior pituitary membranes, the structure and cellular localization of these binding sites have not been elucidated. We previously cloned a rat OT receptor (OTR) gene and showed that its expression in rat uterus results in several transcripts ranging in size from 2.9-6.7 kilobases. In this study we show, by using Northern blot analysis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and ultrastructural in situ hybridization that the same OTR gene is also expressed in the pituitary, where it gives rise to a 6.7- and a 4.8-kilobase messenger RNA. Ultrastructural in situ hybridization combined with immunogold labeling indicated that pituitary OTR gene expression is highly cell-specific and restricted to lactotrophs. In accordance with this finding, only the lactotroph-derived cell line MMQ expressed the OTR gene among several pituitary cell lines tested. Northern blot analysis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization analysis indicated a dramatic increase in pituitary OTR gene expression at the end of gestation and after estrogen treatment. Our results suggest that the OT effect on lactotrophs is direct, whereas OT actions on gonadotrophs and corticotrophs are either indirect or mediated via different receptors. Moreover, our findings imply that OT exerts its full potential as a physiological PRL-releasing factor only towards the end of gestation, and that therefore the role of OT as a hypothalamic PRL-releasing factor may so far have been underestimated.

Immunohistochemical studies on c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expression in paraffin embedded tissues in invasive and non-invasive human breast lesions

The c-erb-B2 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in two series of breast lesions. In a retrospective study on a series of 140 breast lesions, among 34 benign lesions, 16 showed an intense or moderate membrane reaction of tumoral cells; of 15 atypical lesions, 6 exhibited a membrane reaction and 34/60 in situ lesions expressed intensely or moderately c-erb-B2 oncoprotein. A prospective investigation was made on a series of 41 lesions from 25 patients, which were selected for their clinico-pathological features. All the samples were positive but the staining intensity was heterogenous. However, it was similar in the various lesions from the same patient. A strong signal was observed in 12 lesions from 7/25 patients, moderate in those of 13 patients and weak in 6 lesions from 5 patients. Taken together, our findings show that a large number of human breast lesions expressed c-erb-B2 oncoprotein, whether benign, atypical or in situ carcinomas. The intensity of the reaction may depend on the patients rather than on the aggressivity of the lesion, except for the infiltrating carcinomas. This suggests that c-erb-B2 oncoprotein in overexpressed at early stages of breast cancer lesions. Although c-erb-B2 oncoprotein is probably not a good marker for prognosis, it may be an indication for a future progression towards or recurrence.

Heterogeneous immunoreactivity of frozen human benign and malignant breast lesions to C-MYC and C-Ha-ras cellular oncogenes

C-myc and c-Ha-ras oncoprotein expression was studied by immunohistochemistry and gene detection by in situ hybridization on serial frozen sections of 32 breast lesions (19 benign biopsies and 13 infiltrating carcinomas). C-myc protein was expressed in 15/19 benign and 12/13 malignant lesions; c-myc gene was detected in 17/19 benign and 13/13 malignant lesions. Although a higher proportion of benign biopsies (8/9) showed more than 50% of protein-positive cells than malignant specimens, this cannot predict the outcome of a lesion. Conversely, p21 ras protein was expressed only in 2/19 benign lesions and in most cases of grade I to III carcinomas. The c-Ha-ras gene was always detected in a small percentage of cells, in both benign and malignant lesions. The results obtained with atypical hyperplasia, a doubtful proliferating lesion, suggests that p21 c-Ha-ras protein expression is not restricted to breast carcinomas. Although Southern blot is commonly considered as a very sensitive technique for oncogene analysis, no amplification of c-myc and c-Ha-ras gene has been demonstrated either in benign or malignant lesions. The detection, on serial frozen sections, of proteins and DNA of c-myc and c-Ha-ras, showed a possible amplification of the c-myc and c-Ha-ras genes in various benign and malignant lesions.

Expression of thrombospondin (TSP1) and its receptors (CD36 and CD51) in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human breast

We have previously shown that thrombospondin (TSP) is present in normal breast secretions, and high levels of TSP are observed in malignant breast secretions and cytosols. Three genes encoding for three distinct TSPs (TSP1, TSP2, TSP3) have recently been described. In this study, using both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we report on the distribution of TSP1 in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human breast. Its immunolocalization was also compared with that of two known cell surface receptors for TSP1: CD36 and CD51. In nonlactating ducts of normal and hyperplastic breast, TSP1 and CD51 are expressed in the basement membrane and in the basal surface of myoepithelial cells, respectively. In lactating adenomas, both TSP1 and CD51 disappear from the myoepithelial-stromal junction of ducts. However, TSP1 becomes selectively expressed at the apices of secretory epithelial cells of lactating ducts together with CD36, suggesting that the distribution of TSP1 and the appearance of its receptors are dependent on the secretory activity of human mammary ducts. In neoplastic human breast, a strong immunostaining for TSP1 is observed in the basement membrane surrounding in situ carcinomas (preinvasive cancer), and excessive TSP1 deposits are also observed in desmoplasia of invasive ductal carcinomas. TSP1 mRNA is localized in myoepithelial cells surrounding in situ carcinomas and in fibroblasts present in desmoplastic areas. On the other hand, few invasive ductal carcinoma cells (10%) express TSP1, while CD51 is moderately expressed by some neoplastic clusters, and no immunoreactivity is observed for CD36. By contrast, TSP1 is codistributed with CD51 in most of the invasive lobular carcinoma cells (40 to 80%) and with CD36 in a subpopulation (30 to 40%) of these invasive tumor cells. As previously observed with lactating adenomas, it is likely that the coexpression of TSP1 and CD36 is related to the secretory activity of invasive lobular carcinoma cells. The different distribution of TSP1 in invasive ductal versus lobular carcinomas may well reflect biological differences between these two main types of breast carcinoma. In this regard, the coexpression of TSP1 and CD36 may, in part at least, account for the variably invasive behavior of lobular carcinoma cells.

[Ultrastructural in situ hybridization on ultrathin sections of frozen tissues]

In situ hybridization on ultrathin frozen sections can be performed with either complementary DNA or synthetic oligonucleotide probes, labeled with 35S or an antigen (biotin or digoxigenin) respectively revealed by ultrastructural autoradiographic and immunocytological techniques. Using this method, GH mRNA was found in somatotrophs, mainly in the cytoplasm (endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasmic matrix). Ultrastructural deterioration is the main drawback of this method but is more than outweighed by high sensitivity.

Ultrastructural non-radioactive in situ hybridization of GH mRNA in rat pituitary gland: pre-embedding vs ultra-thin frozen sections vs post-embedding

In situ hybridization at the ultrastructural level can be carried out using three different methods: on vibratome sections before embedding in epoxy resin, on ultra-thin frozen sections, or on ultra-thin sections of tissues embedded in hydrophilic resin such as Lowicryl. With the purpose of comparing the sensitivity, resolution, and ultrastructural preservation of these three methods, we examined the expression of the growth hormone (GH) gene in anterior pituitary cells by in situ hybridization at the ultrastructural level, using a synthetic oligonucleotide complementary to the codons of the mRNA from Gln 45 to Ser 54 labeled at the 3' end of biotin-21dUTP. All these methods gave similar results: mRNA was located on the lamellar endoplasmic reticulum of somatotrophs. The pre-embedding method gave the best ultrastructural preservation, with low resolution with the enzymatic detection system and an intermediate sensitivity. A probe concentration of 10 pmol/ml was sufficient to obtain a signal. With this method gold particles could not be used without pre-treatment. The frozen section method gave the best sensitivity (a signal was observed with 4 pmol/ml of probe) but the lowest ultrastructural preservation. On ultra-thin Lowicryl sections, resolution was as high as with the frozen-section method, ultrastructural conservation was intermediate, and sensitivity was low. These results indicate that the last method seems to be a good compromise between sensitivity and ultrastructural preservation.

c-myc and c-Ha-ras cellular oncogenes and human papillomaviruses in benign and malignant cutaneous lesions

To analyze the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and c-myc and c-Ha-ras oncogene activation in cutaneous and mucosal lesions, serial frozen sections of 47 lesions from grafted recipients and 10 biopsies from non-immunosuppressed patients were examined. HeLa, CaSki, MCF7, Colo 320 and 3T3 cells, which contain various copy numbers of HPV DNA and/or c-myc gene, were used as controls. HPV, myc and ras oncogene DNAs were not detected in normal epithelia by in situ hybridization with biotinylated DNA probes. The amplification of ras oncogene was detected in 20/57 lesions. The amplification of myc oncogene was found in 14/57 lesions, 13 of which showed both myc and ras gene amplification. c-myc and/or c-Ha-ras DNA was more frequently amplified in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (8/14 cases) and anogenital papillomas (4/6 cases), than in common and plantar warts (3/14 cases) or actinic keratoses (2/10 cases). HPV DNA was detected in 26/57 biopsies. Oncogene amplification was codetected with HPV DNA in 10/26 lesions, each of them containing at least one potentially oncogenic HPV type (5,16 and/or 18). The amplification was also found in 11/31 cases in the absence of HPV DNA. No significant difference was observed in the detection of HPV or oncogene DNA between the lesions of transplant recipients and those of the non-immunosuppressed population. Viral antigen was detected in 17/55 lesions by indirect immunofluorescence; 5 of the positive biopsies showed ras oncogene amplification. Myc and ras p21 oncoproteins were respectively localized in the nuclei and on the membrane of epithelial cells by indirect immunofluorescence. A good correlation was observed between the amplification of oncogenes and the expression of oncoproteins. Our results favor the hypothesis of a cooperation between HPV infection and myc and ras oncogene activation in skin carcinogenesis.