Expression profile of claudins in flat warts and skin carcinomas in epidermodysplasia verruciformis

Abstract

The Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis (EV) is a rare condition, genetic heritage, characterized by disseminated flat warts and skin cancer, caused by a specific group of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the EV-HPV. The EV is considered the first indicator of genetic cancer associated with HPV, and it is a model for studying the role of the virus and host factors in viral oncogenesis. There are known mechanisms of oncogenesis of EV-HPV, because these viruses, in contrast to the genital high-risk HPV, they don´t incorporate in the host cell genome. Claudins are proteins of cell junctions such as "tight" and serving on sealing, selection of paracellular ion transport, differentiation, proliferation, migration and apoptosis. The profile of expression in neoplastic processes may pose diagnostic and prognostic indicator. Studies of claudins expression in vulvar cancers related to HPV oncogenic demonstrate expression changes that accompanies the progression of intraepithelial lesions to invasive carcinoma. We could not find similar studies in lesions of EV, which represents a model of cutaneous viral oncogenesis. It is intended, through immunohistochemical techniques, checking the expression profile of claudins in the EV plane warts, squamous cell carcinoma in situ and invasive these patients, compared with carcinomas from patients without this condition. (AU)