title: Langerhans cells and epithelial cell modifications in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: correlation with human papillomavirus infection.
abstract: The study of a series of 18 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade II and III was aimed at determining the distribution and phenotype of immunocompetent cells (Langerhans cells, T and NK cells) and the alteration in the expression of EGF receptors and beta 2-microglobulin in correlation with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (viral antigen and DNA typing with biotinylated probes). These lesions were characterized by a reduced number of Langerhans cells and a dense infiltrate. HPV infection did not induce HLA-DR expression in the infected epithelial cells. We observed an enhanced expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors by epithelial cells and a reduced beta 2-microglobulin reactivity by both epithelial and immunocompetent cells. Most of CIN showed foci of infected cells. No significant differences were observed in immunological markers of CIN harboring benign HPV 6/11 DNA or oncogenic HPV 16/18 DNA. Viral antigen was not detected in these lesions. These changes in the epithelial cells of CIN and their microenvironment associated to the lack of HLA-DR expression in the infected cells hamper the squamous epithelial cells to function as antigen presenting cells. This may facilitate a decrease in the immunological surveillance and may contribute to the severity of such lesions.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U 209, CNRS DO 601, Hôpital E. Herriot, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viac
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Guérin-Reverchon
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chardonnet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brémond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D015344:DNA Probes, HPV; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015344:DNA Probes, HPV; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D066246:ErbB Receptors