HPV-transformed cells exhibit altered HMGB1-TLR4/MyD88-SARM1 signaling axis

Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 22;8(1):3476. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21416-8.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women worldwide. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types is the main risk factor for the development of cervical cancer precursor lesions. HPV persistence and tumor development is usually characterized by innate immune system evasion. Alterations in Toll-like receptors (TLR) expression and activation may be important for the control of HPV infections and could play a role in the progression of lesions and tumors. In the present study, we analyzed the mRNA expression of 84 genes involved in TLR signaling pathways. We observed that 80% of the differentially expressed genes were downregulated in cervical cancer cell lines relative to normal keratinocytes. Major alterations were detected in genes coding for several proteins of the TLR signaling axis, including TLR adaptor molecules and genes associated with MAPK pathway, NFκB activation and antiviral immune response. In particular, we observed major alterations in the HMGB1-TLR4 signaling axis. Functional analysis also showed that HMGB1 expression is important for the proliferative and tumorigenic potential of cervical cancer cell lines. Taken together, these data indicate that alterations in TLR signaling pathways may play a role in the oncogenic potential of cells expressing HPV oncogenes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Armadillo Domain Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HMGB1 Protein / genetics*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Infections / genetics
  • Papillomavirus Infections / pathology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / genetics*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology

Substances

  • Armadillo Domain Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • HMGB1 Protein
  • MYD88 protein, human
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • NF-kappa B
  • SARM1 protein, human
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4