Comparison of Interleukin-1 Ligand Expression by Human Papilloma Virus Status in HNSCCs

This study is aimed at determining differences in tumor expression and subcellular localization of IL-1α in HPV-positive (HPV+) and HPV-negative (HPV−) HNSCC tumors. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) containing HPV+ (n = 31) and HPV− (n =  47) primary and metastatic HNSCCs were analyzed for IL-1α expression using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. HPV status was confirmed using p16 IHC staining and RNA in situ hybridization (RNA ISH). Differences in IL-1α protein expression and secretion in HPV+ and HPV− HNSCC cell lines wer e determined by western blot and ELISA respectively. Associations between tumorIL1A expression and survival outcomes were assessed in HPV+  and HPV− HNSCC patients from publicly available gene expression datasets. Tumor expression of IL-1α was significantly increased in HPV− tumors and cell lines (as detected by IHC and western blot respectively) compared to HPV+ tumors and cell lines. There was no difference in IL-1α release between HPV+ and HPV− cell lines. IL-1α was expressed in both nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments, with predominant expression in the nucleus. Gene expression ofIL1A was significantly increased in HPV-tumors/cell lines compared to HPV+  tumors/cell lines. Lastly, increasedIL1A gene expression was significantly associated with worse survival in HPV- tumors but not in HPV+  tumors. Overall IL-1α expression particularly in the nucleus may possess more prognostic significance in HPV− tumors rather tha...
Source: Head and Neck Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research