Shuai Chen1, Sichang Chen1, Yuguang Guan1, Yao Zhang1, Xueling Qi2, Jing An3, Yisong Wang4, Guoming Luan5. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing 100093, China; Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100093, China. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing 100093, China. 3. Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100093, China; School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China. 4. School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China. Electronic address: yswang@ccmu.edu.cn. 5. Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing 100093, China; Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100093, China. Electronic address: luangm3@163.com.
Abstract
OBJECTS: To investigate the expression of human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific antigen in the brain tissue of patients with Rasmussen's Encephalitis (RE) and its possible link to the clinical manifestation of RE. METHODS: The correlation between RE and HPV antigen expression in brain tissue sections was investigated using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, pathological examination, MRI and clinical manifestations. RESULTS: HPV antigen expression was elevated in three out of four patients with RE, whereas there were no detectable HPV antigens in six control patients. Significant staining for HPV antigen was located mainly around or in the nucleus and cytoplasm of neurons. Among these RE patients, three with elevated expression of HPV antigens had obvious hemisphere atrophy, whereas the patient with negative staining for HPV antigens had mild atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated expression of HPV antigens was observed in the brain tissue of RE patients, which may correlate with hemisphere atrophy. Thus, our results may suggest that HPV infection or being a carrier of HPV may play a role in the initiation and progression of RE.
OBJECTS: To investigate the expression of human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific antigen in the brain tissue of patients with Rasmussen's Encephalitis (RE) and its possible link to the clinical manifestation of RE. METHODS: The correlation between RE and HPV antigen expression in brain tissue sections was investigated using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, pathological examination, MRI and clinical manifestations. RESULTS:HPV antigen expression was elevated in three out of four patients with RE, whereas there were no detectable HPV antigens in six control patients. Significant staining for HPV antigen was located mainly around or in the nucleus and cytoplasm of neurons. Among these RE patients, three with elevated expression of HPV antigens had obvious hemisphere atrophy, whereas the patient with negative staining for HPV antigens had mild atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated expression of HPV antigens was observed in the brain tissue of RE patients, which may correlate with hemisphere atrophy. Thus, our results may suggest that HPV infection or being a carrier of HPV may play a role in the initiation and progression of RE.