J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2004 Sep;36(3):224-228.

Detection of JC Virus in the Brains of Korean Glioblastoma Multiforme Patients

• Han JW
• Kim BH
• Jeon YC
• Ahn SK
• Kim YS
• Ahn MS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The ubiquitous human polyomavirus, JC virus(JCV) is the etiologic agent of the fatal demyelinating central nervous system(CNS) disease, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy(PML). Recent studies have reported the detection of the JCV in samples derived from several type of human neural tumors and suggested the possible association of JCV with CNS tumors. Here we report for the first time, the presence of JCV in Korean glioblastoma multiforme(GM) patients. METHODS: Two Korean GM patients were assayed for JCV. To detect JCV, we performed immunohistochemical analysis using anti-JCV and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) serum and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) using primers.
RESULTS
JCV antigen was detected in cytoplasm abundantly in cells of this tumor case. Also, GFAP immunoreactivity was predominantly observed in cytoplasm of the cells that were morphologically bizarred appearing astrocytes in GM. In addition, both of the large T antigen gene and the VP1 gene were detected and this result correspond with previous result of immunohistochemistry.
CONCLUSION
Although it is not certain that GM is associated with the JCV, we are attempted to elucidate the possible implication of JCV in the tumorigenesis of certain human malignant gliomas.

Keyword

JC virus; Glioblastoma multiforme; Brain

MeSH Terms

Antigens, Viral, Tumor
Astrocytes
Brain*
Carcinogenesis
Cytoplasm
Glioblastoma*
Glioma
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
JC Virus*
Antigens, Viral, Tumor