p16

Characteristics

p16, also designated p16(INK4a) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), is a tumor suppressor protein, which in humans is encoded by the CDKN2A gene at chromosome 9p21. p16 plays an important role in regulating the cell cycle. Increased expression of the p16 gene, which is seen as organisms age, reduces the proliferation of stem cells. This reduction in the division and production of stem cells protects against cancer while increasing the risks associated with cellular senescence.
When over expressed, the protein is detected both in the nucleus and cytoplasm.
 

Neoplasms

Mutations in the p16 gene - associated with loss or over expression of the protein - are associated with increased risk of a wide range of cancers and cancer precursor lesions. The immunohistochemical identification of p16 is particularly relevant in uterine cervical lesions: Development of dysplasia is closely related to human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Two viral oncogenes, E6 and E7, both interact with various cell cycle-regulating proteins. Among these is the retinoblastoma gene product pRB, which is inactivated by E7. pRB inhibits transcription of p16 causing an increased immunohistochemical expression. Strong and full thickness staining of p16 in the cervix epithelium is highly supportive of high grade squamous epithelial lesion (HSIL), while weak and intermediate staining favours low grade squamous epithelial lesion (LSIL). Also in cervical adenocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma in situ, a strong p16 expression is usually found.

Application

p16 detection is particularly used in the classification of cervical dysplasia and in the differential diagnosis of cervical adenocarcinoma versus endometrial adenocarcinoma (which is usually p16 negative).

Visualization

In run 26, the following concentrated mAbs could give an optimal result: 16P04, 16P07, 6H12, G175-405, JC8. The following Ready-To-Use Ab could give an optimal result: E6H4 (CINtec, mtm Laboratories AG).

Tonsil appears to be a recommendable control: The follicular dendritic cells must show an at least moderate nuclear and cytoplasmic staining, while no reaction should be seen in the germinal centre B-cells.

Assessments

Run 26 2009

Selected references

Dray M, Russell P, Dalrymple C, Wallman N, Angus G, Leong A, Carter J, Cheerala B. p16(INK4a) as a complementary marker of high-grade intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix. I: Experience with squamous lesions in 189
consecutive cervical biopsies. Pathology. 2005 Apr;37(2):112-24.

Klaes R, Friedrich T, Spitkovsky D, Ridder R, Rudy W, Petry U, Dallenbach-Hellweg G, Schmidt D, von Knebel Doeberitz M. Overexpression of p16(INK4A) as a specific marker for dysplastic and neoplastic epithelial cells of the cervix uteri. Int J Cancer. 2001 Apr 15;92(2):276-84.

Negri G, Bellisano G, Zannoni GF, Rivasi F, Kasal A, Vittadello F, Antoniazzi S, Faa G, Ambu R, Egarter-Vigl E. p16 ink4a and HPV L1 immunohistochemistry is helpful for estimating the behavior of low-grade dysplastic lesions of the cervix
uteri. Am J Surg Pathol. 2008 Nov;32(11):1715-20.

Ordi J, Garcia S, del Pino M, Landolfi S, Alonso I, Quintó L, Torné A. p16 INK4a immunostaining identifies occult CIN lesions in HPV-positive women. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2009 Jan;28(1):90-7.