Search

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer with a tripled incidence in the US and Europe over the past decade. Around 80% of MCC is linked to Merkel cell polyomavirus, but the cell of origin remains unknown. We stably introduced Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV)‐sT) and LT antigens to MCC13 and REH cell lines, analyzing DNA methylation and gene transcriptional regulation. Gene ontology analysis assessed MCPyV effects, and integrative analysis correlated gene expression and methylation. Expression patterns were compared with 15 previously sequenced primary MCCs. We found that MCPyV‐LT induces DNA methylation changes in both cell lines, while MCPyV‐sT only affected REH cells. Greater gene expression changes are observed in MCC13 cells, with upregulated genes associated with cellular components and downregulated genes related to biological processes. Integrative analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEG) and differentially methylated regions (DMR) of REH cell lines revealed that no genes were commonly methylated and differentially expressed. The study compared DEGs and DMG in MCC13 and REH cells to overlapping genes in MCPyV‐positive cell lines (MKL1, MKL2, and WaGa), identifying hypomethylated genes in the gene body and hypermethylated genes at TSS1500. GO analysis of the two cell lines showed that MCPyV‐TAs can downregulate genes in MHC‐I pathways; this downregulation offers a target that can be used to create novel and efficient MCC immunotherapy approaches. Finally, it was confirmed that MCPyV‐LT controls gene expression in MCC tissues using an integrative investigation of DNA methylation and gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, the incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rising, accounting for approximately 2% of all cancer diagnoses and deaths. The etiology of RCC is still obscure. Here, we assessed the presence of HPyVs in paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE) resected tissue from patients with RCC by using different molecular techniques. Fifty-five FFPE tissues from 11 RCC patients were included in this study. Consensus and HPyV-specific primers were used to screen for HPyVs. Both PCR approaches revealed that HPyV is frequently detected in the tissues of RCC kidney resections. A total of 78% (43/55) of the tissues tested were positive for at least one HPyV (i.e., MCPyV, HPyV6, HPyV7, BKPyV, JCPyV, or WUyV). Additionally, 25 tissues (45%) were positive for only one HPyV, 14 (25%) for two HPyVs, 3 (5%) for three HPyVs, and 1 one (1%) tissue specimen was positive for four HPyVs. Eleven (20%) RCC specimens were completely devoid of HPyV sequences. MCPyV was found in 24/55 RCC tissues, HPyV7 in 19, and HPyV6 in 8. The presence of MCPyV and HPyV6 was confirmed by specific FISH or RNA-ISH. In addition, we aimed to confirm HPyV gene expression by IHC. Our results strongly indicate that these HPyVs infect RCC and nontumor tissues, possibly indicating that kidney tissues serve as a reservoir for HPyV latency. Whether HPyVs possibly contribute to the etiopathogenesis of RCC remains to be elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant public health issue in Saudi Arabia, with an estimated prevalence of 1.4% in the general population. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally, and in Saudi Arabia. Genotypes 1a, 1b, and 4 are most commonly found. HCV genotype is predictive of the response of HCV-infected patients to antiviral therapy. Thus, the genotype should be determined so that the patient can receive the most appropriate therapy regimen. Objective: To examine the distribution of HCV genotypes in infected patients from Albaha region. Setting: Medical Laboratory Department, Central laboratory and blood bank, Albaha. Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study. Method: Forty suspected cases of HCV collected from Central laboratory and blood bank at Albaha from January 2020 to April 2020 were included in the study. All samples were analyzed with real-time RT-qPCR for HCV RNA detection as described previously. HCV RNA positive samples were further analyzed. The HCV genotype-specific multiplex PCR was performed using Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II assay. Result: Between January 2020 to April 2020, 40 suspected cases of of HCV were analysed; 21(52.5%) were HCV RNA negative and 19 (47.5%) were HCV RNA positive. Genotype 1a was the most prevalent among all the genotypes observed followed by 1b and genotype 2. Genotype 4 and 5 were found in 5% of our samples. Conclusion: HCV genotype 1a is highly prevalent in Albaha region. These findings will help medical professionals to prescribe more appropriate treatment for the HCV infection, and they will also develop plans for more efficient disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]