The Inverse Correlation of Nuclear Protein Lamin A and Ribosomal Proteins L28 Determines Molecular Initiation of Cervical Carcinogenesis in the Context of HR-HPV Infection

Abstract

Background: High risk HPV (HR-HPV) infections associated to cervical cancers are among breaking cancer research interest all other the world. Nevertheless, few studies addressed about the molecular alteration initiator of cervical cancer. The objective of our study is to highlight the variation of known cancer biomarkers such as nuclear envelope protein (lamin A) and ribosomal protein L28 (RPL28) in function of HR-HPV status to use them as screening biomarkers for cervical cancer prevention. Materiel and Methods: Upon research ethic approval and signed informed consent from each participant, Uterine Cervix Swab (UCS) were collected from 32 seemingly healthy women to isolate epithelial cells for biochemical analyses which include a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HR-HPV genotypes and an immunoblotting for nuclear and ribosomal proteins (lamin A and RPL28) status determination. Results and discussion: The data were classified in function of HR-HPV status. In absence of HR-HPV all samples displayed lamin A expression but low or undetectable RPL28 expression. In presence of HR-HPV most samples have low or undetectable lamin A expression but display mild or high expression of RPL28. This profile was more prominent for HR-HPV 56, 58 and 66. Overexpression of RPL28 correlated with the one of cancer biomarker cleaved caspase6. Conclusion: Although the determination of HR-HPV genotypes is fascinating, the screening should always be associated to known cancer biomarkers (RPL28 or cleaved caspase6) to properly manage the care of patients who are on the verge of developing cervical cancer.