Human Cytomegalovirus DNA Quantification and Gene Expression in Gliomas of Different Grades

PLoS One. 2016 Jul 26;11(7):e0159604. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159604. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Gliomas are the most common type of primary brain tumors. The most aggressive type, Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is one of the deadliest human diseases, with an average survival at diagnosis of about 1 year. Previous evidence suggests a link between human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and gliomas. HCMV has been shown to be present in these tumors and several viral proteins can have oncogenic properties in glioma cells. Here we have investigated the presence of HCMV DNA, RNA and proteins in fifty-two gliomas of different grades of malignancy. The UL83 viral region, the early beta 2.7 RNA and viral protein were detected in 73%, 36% and 57% by qPCR, ISH and IHC, respectively. Positivity of the viral targets and viral load was independent of tumor type or grade suggesting no correlation between viral presence and tumor progression. Our results demonstrate high prevalence of the virus in gliomas from Brazilian patients, contributing to a better understanding of the association between HCMV infection and gliomas worldwide and supporting further investigations of the virus oncomodulatory properties.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology*
  • DNA, Viral*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Glioma / etiology*
  • Glioma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Load*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins

Grants and funding

FAPESP-Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo. Grant Number: 2013/14215-9 (http://www.fapesp.br/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.