Association of antibody to E2 protein of human papillomavirus and p16INK4A with progression of HPV-infected cervical lesions

Med Oncol. 2018 May 9;35(6):93. doi: 10.1007/s12032-018-1151-2.

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) E2 and L1 proteins are expressed in cervical cells during the lytic stage of infection. Overexpression of p16INK4A is a biomarker of HPV-associated cervical neoplasia. This study investigated antibodies to HPV16 E2, HPV16 L1, and p16INK4A in sera from women with no squamous intraepithelial lesion (No-SIL) of the cervix, low-grade SIL, high-grade SIL, and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). HPV DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Anti-E2, -L1, and -p16INK4A antibodies in sera were determined by western blot. Among 116 samples, 69 (60%) were HPV DNA-positive. Percentages seropositive for anti-E2, -L1, and -p16INK4A antibodies were 39.6, 22.4, and 23.3%, respectively. Anti-E2 antibody was significantly correlated with HPV DNA-positive cases. Eighty-seven women (75%) were regarded as infected with HPV, having at least one positive result from HPV DNA, L1, or E2 antibody. Antibody to p16INK4A was associated with HPV infection (odds = 5.444, 95% CI 1.203-24.629, P = 0.028) and precancerous cervical lesions (odds = 5.132, 95% CI 1.604-16.415, P = 0.006). Interestingly, the concurrent detection of anti-E2 and -p16INK4A antibodies was significantly associated with HPV infection (odds = 1.382, 95% CI 1.228-1.555, P = 0.044). These antibodies might be good candidate biomarkers for monitoring HPV-associated cervical lesion development to cancer.

Keywords: Antibodies; Cervical cancer; HPV16 E2 and HPV16 L1; Human papillomavirus; P16INK4A; Serum.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Capsid Proteins / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / blood
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / immunology*
  • DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology*
  • Female
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / genetics
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / immunology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral / immunology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / blood
  • Papillomavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / blood
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / immunology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / blood
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • CDKN2A protein, human
  • Capsid Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • DNA, Viral
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • E2 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16
  • Oncogene Proteins, Viral
  • L1 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16