Co-expression of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1, bcl-2, bcl-xL, p21Cip1 and p53 genes in human lymphoepitihelial carcinoma

Activation of latent genes of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) protects human cells from apoptosis and can induce the expression of bcl-2 gene, a survival factor and inhibitor of apoptosis. We used in situ hybridization technique to detect of EBV LMP1, Bcl-2, BCL-X-L, p21(Cip1) and p53 genes expression in paraffin-embedded tissue from patient with a very rare lumphoepithelial carcinoma (undifferentiated carcinomas with lymphoid stroma) of parotid gland. We detected expression of LMP1, bcl-X-L and strong signals from bcl-2, We did not detect signals of p53 and p21(Cip1). We have fixed a potent mechanism of development of a parotid gland carcinoma: EBV infection or/and LMP1 activation --> overexpression of bcl-2 and bcl-X-L --> decreased expression of p53 and p21(Cip1) --> immortalization of cells --> cancer.