HUMAN HERPES-VIRUS-8 (HHV-8) IN KAPOSIS-SARCOMA - LACK OF ASSOCIATIONWITH BCL-2 AND P53 PROTEIN EXPRESSION

Aims - Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is the infectious agent implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma, although its mode of action is unclear. Recent work indicates that the HHV-8 genome encodes a vira l Bcl-2 homologue (v-Bcl-2). The aim of this study was to explore Bcl- 2 expression in Kaposi's sarcoma using a unique set of HHV-8 positive and negative cases, and to determine whether there is a relation with p53 expression. Methods - Up to 18 specimens from 17 patients were sel ected. HHV-8 status was determined using nested polymerase chain react ion (PCR) to the open reading frame (ORF) 26, with further confirmatio n by TaqMan PCR. In addition, Bcl-2 and p53 immunohistochemistry were performed using standard protocols. Results - The results suggest that Bcl-2 and p53 expression is independent of HHV-8 status. In addition, there does not appear to be a direct correlation with disease stage. Conclusions - HHHV8 histopathogenesis is likely to be a multifactorial complex process, which may be mediated in part by viral genes and apo ptosis regulating homologues.