In Situ Localization of Human Cytomegalovirus DNA and Translated Proteins of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Genes in Histological Specimens from Patients with Serous Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma in Baghdad Province

Abstract

HCMV has been detected in various types of tumors. Besides its well-describedoncomodulation, recentlyan oncogenic properties of HMCV per se as well asits direct transforming role in infected cells have beendescribed.HCMV in serous ovarian adenocarcinoma and its relation to BRCA1and BRCA2 was scarcelystudied.The study was designed to examine cellular dysregulation mediated by the concordant protein expressionsof BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes with HCMV in tissues from ovarian cancers.Eighty ovarian tissues were examined for HCMV-DNA and BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes expression. Thosesamples belonged to (40) patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer and (40) from apparently normal ovariantissues. The detection of HCMV-DNA was done by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) whereas thetranslated proteins of the expressed BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes by immunohistochemistry (IHC).Positive signals of HCMV-DNA -CISH reactions in malignant serous epithelial ovarian tumors, was detectedin 45% (18 out of 40)tissues and followed by the apparently healthy ovarian control tissues (12.5%,5 outof 40 tissues). The difference of the HCMV in ovarian cancers and control was highly significant. Thetranslated proteins of the expressed BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes was detected by IHC in 60% (24 out of 40tissues) of malignant serous epithelial ovarian tumors while no signal was reported in the control tissues.The difference between the percentages of BRCA1 as well as BRCA2proteins detection in ovarian cancer &control group was statistically significant (<0.05).The significant detection of either HCMV o rBRCA1 & BRCA2 genes expression in the studied ovariancancer tissues could support a role for that virus along with these genes in ovarian carcinogenesis.