[Relation between human papilloma virus DNA and expressions of p53 and p21 proteins in cervical lesions].

Oncogenic types of human papilloma virus (HPV) are known to be closely associated with cervical carcinoma. On the other hand, the oncogenic process is associated with various abnormalities in the mechanisms of cellular regulation. In this study, we detected the expressions of p53 and p21 proteins in cervical lesions by immunohistochemical techniques, and examined the relationship with HPV infection as well as the clinical usefulness of the results. Cervical biopsy specimens from 107 cases of cervical lesions were studied. HPV-DNA was detected by the hybrid capture method using probe A for low oncogenic types and probe B for high oncogenic types. Anti p21, anti-p53 antibodies were used to perform immunostaining. Point mutation in the p53 gene was analyzed by the DGGE method. High oncogenic HPV types were detected at high frequencies in CIN and SCC. In lesions associated with high oncogenic HPV, p53 protein was detected in 33.4% of the lesions and p21 protein in 36.3%. The p53 gene was analyzed in all cases, and point mutation was not detected. No relation was detected between HPV infection and p53/p21 protein expression. Since mutation was not found in the p53 gene, the p53 protein expressed was considered to be wild-type, which is suspected to play a role in inhibiting disease progression in some cases.