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Review
. 2019 Jun:7:129-131.
doi: 10.1016/j.pvr.2019.04.003. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

HPV and skin carcinogenesis

Massimo Tommasino  1
Affiliations
Review

HPV and skin carcinogenesis

Massimo Tommasino. Papillomavirus Res. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Epidemiological and biological studies provide several lines of evidence for the involvement of cutaneous beta human papillomaviruses (HPVs), together with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, in the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. These viruses appear to act with a hit-and-run mechanism, being necessary at an early stage of carcinogenesis and being dispensable for the maintenance of the malignant phenotype. Studies in experimental models show that beta HPVs, mainly via the E6 and E7 oncoproteins, are able to promote proliferation and to circumvent cellular stresses induced by UV radiation. These findings support a model of skin carcinogenesis in which beta HPV-infected keratinocytes remain alive despite the accumulation of UV-induced DNA mutations. In this manner, these cells become highly susceptible to progression towards malignancy. Thus, UV radiation is the main driver of skin cancer development, while beta HPVs act as facilitators of the accumulation of UV-induced DNA mutations.

Keywords: Cutaneous beta HPVs; Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; Ultraviolet radiation.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Working model for cooperation between beta HPV types and UV radiation in promoting cSCC. Under normal conditions, UV irradiation of the skin induces DNA mutations in keratinocytes in the basal layer, with consequent (i) cell cycle arrest and repair of DNA mutations or (ii) apoptosis, if the DNA damage is unrepairable. Upon beta HPV infection, E6 and E7 expression inhibits the cellular response to UV-induced stress. As a consequence, DNA-damaged cells continue to proliferate, with a high risk of evolving into cancer cells. After inactivation of tumour suppressor genes or activation of cellular oncogenes by DNA mutations, the expression of the viral genes becomes dispensable.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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