Stains & molecular markers
HPV (Human papillomavirus)
Copyright: 2002-2021, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: HPV [title] stain
HPV (Human papillomavirus)
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Topic Completed: 1 October 2012
Minor changes: 4 November 2020
Copyright: 2002-2021, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: HPV [title] stain
Table of Contents
See also | Definition / general | Pathophysiology | Uses by pathologists | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive staining - normal | Positive staining - disease | Negative stainingCite this page: Pernick N. Human papillomavirus. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainshpv.html. Accessed January 24th, 2021.
See also
- Cervix-cytology chapter:
Definition / general
- Nuclear antigen
- Detection methods include PCR, in-situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry
- Can also detect via E6/E7 protein, p16 or ProExc (see below)
- Note: must understand what HPV subtypes / components the particular detection method targets
Pathophysiology
- HPV E6 protein induces p53 degradation by a ubiquitin-dependent pathway
- Also activates host cell telomerase
- HPV E7 protein binds retinoblastoma protein, leading to release of E2F transcription factor, then cell cycle progression
- E7 also interferes with p21 inhibition of cdk2, causing stimulation of S phase genes cyclin A and E
Uses by pathologists
- At any site, detection of HPV in lesions without typical histologic findings or in equivocal cases (Am J Dermatopathol 2013;35:327)
- Triage specimens with ASCUS into high risk (HPV+) or low risk (HPV-)
- Differentiate endocervical adenocarcinoma (usually HPV+) from endometrial adenocarcinoma (usually HPV-, Am J Surg Pathol 2002;26:998, Am J Surg Pathol 2010;34:915)
- Distinguish lung metastases from oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+) from lung primary squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-, Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36:142)
- Determine aggressiveness of basaloid squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck (aggressive: HPV-, less aggressive: HPV+, Am J Surg Pathol 2008;32:1044)
- Testing for HPV E6/E7 transcripts by RNA ISH confirms presence of integrated and transcriptionally active virus (Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36:1874)
- p16 immunohistochemistry (Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36:945, Am J Clin Pathol 2010;134:12) and ProExC immunocytochemistry (Am J Surg Pathol 2008;32:899, Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011;20:628) are also useful to detect HPV
Microscopic (histologic) images
Images hosted on other servers:
Anal squamous neoplasia, HPV L1 capsid
Cervix, normal
Cervical condyloma
Cervix, low grade SIL
Cervix, high grade SIL
Cervix, squamous cell carcinoma
Cervix, large cell neuroendo carcinoma
Eye, conjunctival tumors
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, HPV ISH and p16
Positive staining - normal
- None
Positive staining - disease
- HPV related lesions (condyloma, squamous papilloma; many dysplastic, in situ or invasive carcinomas of anus, cervix, penis and vulva; also other sites)
- Bowen disease of skin
- HPV L1 nuclear capsid: 38% of anal squamous cell carcinoma in situ, usually L1 negative in associated invasive carcinomas, Am J Clin Pathol 2011;135:436)
- Langerhans cells in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (J Appl Oral Sci 2011;19:378)
Negative staining
- Normal cervix (may have nonspecific background staining)
- Endocervical glandular atypia / dysplasia (usually)
- Sebaceous carcinoma
- Verruciform xanthoma
- Verrucous carcinoma
