Local immune response in persistent cervical dysplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the differences in local immune response between persistent and regressive cervical dysplasia.


METHODS
We conducted a quantitative study of Langerhans cells, pan-T cells, and helper-inducer T cells in the subepithelial connective tissue using immunohistochemical techniques with S-100 protein antibody, UCHL1, and OPD4, respectively, in 52 paraffin sections. The subjects were patients with persistent cervical dysplasia and a comparable control group of 46 patients with regressive dysplasia.


RESULTS
In the subepithelial stroma, the mean (+/- standard deviation) numbers of S-100- and OPD4-positive cells in the persistent group were 8.6 +/- 8.1 and 84.6 +/- 66.3, respectively, compared with 15.1 +/- 9.4 and 147.0 +/- 67.7, respectively, in the regression group. These data demonstrate a significant reduction of Langerhans cells and helper-inducer T cells (P < .0002 and P < .0001, respectively) with persistent dysplasia.


CONCLUSIONS
The decreased numbers of S-100-positive Langerhans cells and helper-inducer T cells in persistent dysplasia compared to those of regressive dysplasia strongly support a decreased local immune response in persistent cervical dysplasia.
Fukuda
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saga Medical School, Japan.
Hachisuga
T
T
Nakamura
S
S
Matsuo
N
N
Iwasaka
T
T
Sugimori
H
H
D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007801:Langerhans Cells; D008875:Middle Aged; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000276:immunology*
D009418:S100 Proteins