Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA was detected in faeces of patients with COVID-19, the activity and infectivity of the virus in the GI tract during disease ...course is largely unknown. We investigated temporal transcriptional activity of SARS-CoV-2 and its association with longitudinal faecal microbiome alterations in patients with COVID-19.
We performed RNA shotgun metagenomics sequencing on serial faecal viral extractions from 15 hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Sequencing coverage of the SARS-CoV-2 genome was quantified. We assessed faecal microbiome composition and microbiome functionality in association with signatures of faecal SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.
Seven (46.7%) of 15 patients with COVID-19 had stool positivity for SARS-CoV-2 by viral RNA metagenomic sequencing. Even in the absence of GI manifestations, all seven patients showed strikingly higher coverage (p=0.0261) and density (p=0.0094) of the 3' vs 5' end of SARS-CoV-2 genome in their faecal viral metagenome profile. Faecal viral metagenome of three patients continued to display active viral infection signature (higher 3' vs 5' end coverage) up to 6 days after clearance of SARS-CoV-2 from respiratory samples. Faecal samples with signature of high SARS-CoV-2 infectivity had higher abundances of bacterial species
,
,
,
, and higher functional capacity for nucleotide de novo biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis and glycolysis, whereas faecal samples with signature of low-to-none SARS-CoV-2 infectivity had higher abundances of short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria,
,
,
and
.
This pilot study provides evidence for active and prolonged 'quiescent' GI infection even in the absence of GI manifestations and after recovery from respiratory infection of SARS-CoV-2. Gut microbiota of patients with active SARS-CoV-2 GI infection was characterised by enrichment of opportunistic pathogens, loss of salutary bacteria and increased functional capacity for nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are a leading cause of viral‐induced malignancies worldwide, with a prominent association with cervical and head and neck cancers. The pivotal role of HPV ...oncoproteins, E5, E6, and E7, in manipulating cellular events, which contribute to viral pathogenesis in various ways, has been extensively documented. This article reviews the influence of HPV oncoproteins on cellular signaling pathways within the host cell, shedding light on the underlying molecular mechanisms. A comprehensive understanding of these molecular alterations is essential for the development of targeted therapies and strategies to combat HPV‐induced premalignancies and prevent their progress to cancer. Furthermore, this review underscores the intricate interplay between HPV oncoproteins and some of the most important cellular signaling pathways: Notch, Wnt/β‐catenin, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and PI3K AKT/mTOR. The treatment efficacies of the currently available inhibitors on these pathways in an HPV‐positive context are also discussed. This review also highlights the importance of continued research to advance our knowledge and enhance therapeutic interventions for HPV‐associated diseases.
Cancer arising from the uterine cervix is the fourth most common cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Almost 90% of cervical cancer mortality has occurred in low- and middle-income countries. ...One of the major aetiologies contributing to cervical cancer is the persistent infection by the cancer-causing types of the human papillomavirus. The disease is preventable if the premalignant lesion is detected early and managed effectively. In this review, we outlined the standard guidelines that have been introduced and implemented worldwide for decades, including the cytology, the HPV detection and genotyping, and the immunostaining of surrogate markers. In addition, the staging system used to classify the premalignancy and malignancy of the uterine cervix, as well as the safety and efficacy of the various treatment modalities in clinical trials for cervical cancers, are also discussed. In this millennial world, the advancements in computer-aided technology, including robotic modules and artificial intelligence (AI), are also incorporated into the screening, diagnostic, and treatment platforms. These innovations reduce the dependence on specialists and technologists, as well as the work burden and time incurred for sample processing. However, concerns over the practicality of these advancements remain, due to the high cost, lack of flexibility, and the judgment of a trained professional that is currently not replaceable by a machine.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remains one of the most prominent cancer-causing DNA viruses, contributing to approximately 5% of human cancers. While association between HPV and cervical ...cancers has been well-established, evidence on the attribution of head and neck cancers (HNC) to HPV have been increasing in recent years. Among the cancer-causing HPV genotypes, HPV16 and 18 remain the major contributors to cancers across the globe. Nonetheless, the distribution of HPV genotypes in ethnically, geographically, and socio-economically diverse East, Southeast, and South Asia may differ from other parts of the world. In this review, we garner and provide updated insight into various aspects of HPV reported in recent years (2015–2021) in these regions. We included: (i) the HPV genotypes detected in normal cancers of the uterine cervix and head and neck, as well as the distribution of the HPV genotypes by geography and age groups; (ii) the laboratory diagnostic methods and treatment regimens used within these regions; and (iii) the oncogenic properties of HPV prototypes and their variants contributing to carcinogenesis. More importantly, we also unveil the similarities and discrepancies between these aspects, the areas lacking study, and the challenges faced in HPV studies.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an etiological agent of cervical cancer. Yet co-factors are believed to be involved in HPV-mediated carcinogenesis. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ...considered as one of these co-factors. Epidemiologic studies have associated high PAH exposure with increased risk for cancer development. To date, many studies focus on benzoapyrene, however, the role of other PAHs should not be neglected. This study aimed to compare the potential of different PAHs as a co-factor in HPV-mediated carcinogenesis, and to investigate the possible mechanisms involved.
The effect of 17 PAHs on high-risk HPV (HPV16) were examined in this study. HPV16 E7 oncogene was expressed in primary cells extracted from baby rat kidney and treated with PAHs. The co-transforming ability of PAHs were measured by colony formation index according to the number and size of transformed colonies. Effects of PAHs on proliferation of HPV-null (C33A) and -infected (CaSki) were examined using CCK-8 assay. Wound healing assay and matrigel invasion chambers were used to investigate effects of PAHs on cell motility and invasivion of HPV-null (MCF7, C33A) and -infected (SiHa) cells.
Benzoapyrene (BaP), dibenza,hanthracene (DBA) and indeno1,2,3-cdpyrene (IDP) showed the greatest co-transforming potential in the baby rat kidney cell system. Short-term exposure to BaP, DBA, IDP and pyrene (PR) did not affect proliferation of C33A or CaSki cells, however, long-term exposure of these four PAHs led to dramatic increase in growth rate of CaSki cells by 120-140%. Besides, exposure of PAHs has an effect on cell motility and invasiveness of C33A and SiHa cells, but not for MCF7 cells. Exposure of BaP and DBA enhanced migration (1.26 to 1.40-fold) and invasion (1.68 to 1.94-fold) capacity of C33A cells. Intriguingly, exposure of all four types of PAHs boosted the migration (1.12 to 1.28-fold) and invasion (1.26 to 1.40-fold) capacity of SiHa cells.
Our results indicate that exposure to PAHs can be a key co-factor in HPV-related cancer development. They could act on all three stages, namely initiation, promotion and progression. Further study is needed to unveil the mechanisms by which PAHs interact with HPV to cause malignancy.
Human papillomavirus 58 (HPV58) is found in 10 to 18% of cervical cancers in East Asia but is rather uncommon elsewhere. The distribution and oncogenic potential of HPV58 variants appear to be ...heterogeneous, since the E7 T20I/G63S variant is more prevalent in East Asia and confers a 7- to 9-fold-higher risk of cervical precancer and cancer. However, the underlying genomic mechanisms that explain the geographic and carcinogenic diversity of HPV58 variants are still poorly understood. In this study, we used a combination of phylogenetic analyses and bioinformatics to investigate the deep evolutionary history of HPV58 complete genome variants. The initial splitting of HPV58 variants was estimated to occur 478,600 years ago (95% highest posterior density HPD, 391,000 to 569,600 years ago). This divergence time is well within the era of speciation between
and Neanderthals/Denisovans and around three times longer than the modern
divergence times. The expansion of present-day variants in Eurasia could be the consequence of viral transmission from Neanderthals/Denisovans to non-African modern human populations through gene flow. A whole-genome sequence signature analysis identified 3 amino acid changes, 16 synonymous nucleotide changes, and a 12-bp insertion strongly associated with the E7 T20I/G63S variant that represents the A3 sublineage and carries higher carcinogenetic potential. Compared with the capsid proteins, the oncogenes E7 and E6 had increased substitution rates indicative of higher selection pressure. These data provide a comprehensive evolutionary history and genomic basis of HPV58 variants to assist further investigation of carcinogenic association and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Papillomaviruses (PVs) are an ancient and heterogeneous group of double-stranded DNA viruses that preferentially infect the cutaneous and mucocutaneous epithelia of vertebrates. Persistent infection by specific oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs), including HPV58, has been established as the primary cause of cervical cancer. In this work, we reveal the complex evolutionary history of HPV58 variants that explains the heterogeneity of oncogenic potential and geographic distribution. Our data suggest that HPV58 variants may have coevolved with archaic hominins and dispersed across the planet through host interbreeding and gene flow. Certain genes and codons of HPV58 variants representing higher carcinogenic potential and/or that are under positive selection may have important implications for viral host specificity, pathogenesis, and disease prevention.
Increasing evidence indicates an etiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in head and neck cancers, particularly oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). However, the association between ...HPV and other cancers, including esophageal and tongue remains unclear. This study delineated the molecular characteristics of HPV18 E6 and E7 in esophageal (EC109 and EC9706) and tongue (Tca83) cancer cell lines with reference to cervical cancer (HeLa).
We analysed the HPV transcription profiles of esophageal and tongue cancer cells through Next-generation RNA sequencing, and the role of HPV18 E6 and E7 in these cells was assessed via siRNA approach, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays.
Overall, the HPV transcription profiles of esophageal and tongue cancer cells mimicked that of cervical cancer cells, with notable disruption of E2, and expression of E6, spliced E6 (E6
), E7, E1 and L1 transcripts. As with cervical cancer cells, p53 and its downstream transactivation target, p21, were found to be the major targets of E6 in esophageal and tongue cancer cell lines. Intriguingly, E7 preferentially targeted p130 in the two esophageal cancer cell lines, instead of pRb as in cervical cancer. Tca83 exhibited an E7 to E6 transcript ratio comparable to HeLa (cervix), targeted the ERK1/2 and MMP2 pathways, and was dependent on E6 and E7 to survive and proliferate. In contrast, both the esophageal cancer cell lines were distinct from HeLa in these aspects.
This is the first study that delineates transcript expression and protein interaction of HPV18 E6 and E7 in esophageal and tongue cancer cell lines, suggesting that HPV plays a role in inducing these cancers, albeit via distinct pathways than those observed in cervical cancer.
The human papillomavirus E6 and E7 oncoproteins interact with a different subset of host proteins, leading to dysregulation of the apoptotic, cell cycle, and signaling pathways. In this study, we ...identified, for the first time, that Aurora kinase B (AurB) is a
interacting partner of E6. We systematically characterized the AurB-E6 complex formation and its consequences in carcinogenesis using a series of
and cell-based assays. We also assessed the efficacy of Aurora kinase inhibitors in halting HPV-mediated carcinogenesis using
and
models. We showed that AurB activity was elevated in HPV-positive cells, and this correlated positively with the E6 protein level. E6 interacted directly with AurB in the nucleus or mitotic cells. A previously unidentified region of E6, located upstream of C-terminal E6-PBM, was important for AurB-E6 complex formation. AurB-E6 complex led to reduced AurB kinase activity. However, the AurB-E6 complex increased the hTERT protein level and its telomerase activity. On the other hand, AurB inhibition led to the inhibition of telomerase activity, cell proliferation, and tumor formation, even though this may occur in an HPV-independent manner. In summary, this study dissected the molecular mechanism of how E6 recruits AurB to induce cell immortalization and proliferation, leading to the eventual cancer development. Our findings revealed that the treatment of AZD1152 exerted a non-specific anti-tumor effect. Hence, a continuous effort to seek a specific and selective inhibitor that can halt HPV-mediated carcinogenesis should be warranted.
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