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A monoclonal antibody against SV40 large T antigen (PAb416) does not label Merkel cell carcinoma
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A monoclonal antibody against SV40 large T antigen (PAb416) does not label Merkel cell carcinoma

Daniel J Pelletier, Thomas W Czeczok and Andrew M Bellizzi
Histopathology, Vol.73(1), pp.162-166
07/2018
DOI: 10.1111/his.13483
PMCID: PMC5995640
PMID: 29430700

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Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma represents poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma of cutaneous origin. In most studies, the vast majority of Merkel cell carcinomas are Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV)-associated. SV40 polyomavirus immunohistochemistry is typically used in the diagnosis of other polyomavirus-associated diseases, including tubulointerstitial nephritis and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, given cross-reactivity with BK and JC polyomaviruses. MCPyV-specific immunohistochemistry is commercially available, but, if antibodies against SV40 also cross-reacted with MCPyV, that would be advantageous from a resource-utilisation perspective. Tissue microarrays were constructed from 39 Merkel cell carcinomas, 24 small-cell lung carcinomas, and 18 extrapulmonary visceral small-cell carcinomas. SV40 large T antigen immunohistochemistry (clone PAb416) was performed; MCPyV large T antigen immunohistochemistry (clone CM2B4) had been previously performed. UniProt was used to compare the amino acid sequences of the SV40, BK, JC and MCPyV large T antigens, focusing on areas recognised by the PAb416 and CM2B4 clones. SV40 immunohistochemistry was negative in all tumours; MCPyV immunohistochemistry was positive in 38% of Merkel cell carcinomas and in 0% of non-cutaneous poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas. UniProt analysis revealed a high degree of similarity between SV40, BK, and JC viruses in the region recognised by PAb416. There was less homology between SV40 and MCPyV in this region, which was also interrupted by two long stretches of amino acids unique to MCPyV. The CM2B4 clone recognises a unique epitope in one of these stretches. The PAb416 antibody against the SV40 large T antigen does not cross-react with MCPyV large T antigen, and thus does not label Merkel cell carcinoma.
Polyomavirus Infections - immunology Polyomavirus Infections - complications Humans Tumor Virus Infections - diagnosis Merkel cell polyomavirus - immunology Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - diagnosis Tumor Virus Infections - complications Cross Reactions Polyomavirus Infections - diagnosis Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming - immunology Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis Skin Neoplasms - virology Tumor Virus Infections - immunology Carcinoma, Merkel Cell - virology Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology

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