Objective: To study the difference in gene expression between human papillomavirus (HPV)16-positive and HPV-negative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) .
Methods: Eight HPV 16-positive and seven HPV-negative ESCC specimens were evaluated by PCR. The samples were then determined for gene expression profiling using Solexa Sequencing Chip followed by bioinformatics analysis.
Results: A total of 796 differentially expressed genes between HPV 16-positive and HPV-negative ESCC were observed. Among them, 366 were up-regulated while 430 were down-regulated. Functional classification and pathway analysis showed that the functions of these genes were mostly related to tumor morphology, immune, and inflammatory response, cellular growth and proliferation and cellular movement. Of these, factors related to immune and inflammation were the most representative.
Conclusion: Differences in immunologic factors may be associated with HPV infection in esophageal cancer.