Preferential expression of a HPV genotype in invasive cervical carcinomas infected by multiple genotypes

Multiple infections by HPV genotypes are frequently detected in HPV+ cervical lesions but the interaction between each viral genotype during carcinogenesis is poorly understood. Here we carried out a comprehensive study to characterize the multiple HPV expression and integration by RNA-seq analyses of 19 invasive cervical carcinomas coinfected by several HPV genotypes. Analysis of tumor DNA by a hybridization assay indicated multiple infections ranging from 2 to 6 different HPV genotypes. RNA-seq analysis showed that a single HPV genotype was preferentially expressed. Finally, the search for HPV/human chimeric transcripts indicated integration from preferentially expressed genotypes. In conclusion, the present study indicated that, in invasive cervical carcinomas infected by multiple HPV genotypes, one HPV was preferentially expressed, supporting the hypothesis that a single HPV genotype was associated with cancer development.