Viruses 2017, 9(7), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/v9070187
Molecular Mechanisms of Human Papillomavirus Induced Skin Carcinogenesis
Martin Hufbauer and Baki Akgül *
Institute of Virology, University of Cologne, Fürst-Pückler-Str. 56, 50935 Cologne, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 27 June 2017 / Revised: 7 July 2017 / Accepted: 7 July 2017 / Published: 14 July 2017
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Expert Views on HPV Infection)
Abstract
Infection of the cutaneous skin with human papillomaviruses (HPV) of genus betapapillomavirus (βHPV) is associated with the development of premalignant actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma. Due to the higher viral loads of βHPVs in actinic keratoses than in cancerous lesions, it is currently discussed that these viruses play a carcinogenic role in cancer initiation. In vitro assays performed to characterize the cell transforming activities of high-risk HPV types of genus alphapapillomavirus have markedly contributed to the present knowledge on their oncogenic functions. However, these assays failed to detect oncogenic functions of βHPV early proteins. They were not suitable for investigations aiming to study the interactive role of βHPV positive epidermis with mesenchymal cells and the extracellular matrix. This review focuses on βHPV gene functions with special focus on oncogenic mechanisms that may be relevant for skin cancer development. View Full-TextKeywords:
betapapillomavirus, extracellular matrix; invasion; cancer initiating cells; wound healing; squamous cell carcinoma
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Hufbauer, M.; Akgül, B. Molecular Mechanisms of Human Papillomavirus Induced Skin Carcinogenesis. Viruses 2017, 9, 187.
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