E-Cadherin and CD44 expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: comparison between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women and correlation with HPV status.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to compare the expression patterns of E-cadherin and CD44 isoforms in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) between patients with or without infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).


METHODS
An immunohistochemical analysis using the monoclonal antibody HECD-1 against E-cadherin and the monoclonal antibodies 2C5, binding to CD44s and all the variants encoded by exons 3 to 10, 3G5, specific for CD44v3 and 2F10, and specific for CD44v6, was performed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of 138 CIN (74 from HIV-negative and 64 from HIV-positive patients).


RESULTS
In HIV-negative patients, the mean percentages (+/-SD) of E-cadherin-positive cells in CIN of grades I, II, and III were, respectively, 33% +/- 4, 63% +/- 5, and 91% +/- 9. The difference was statistically significant between the three groups of tumors (P < 0.0001). In HIV-negative patients, the mean percentages (+/-SD) of CD44-positive cells in CIN of grades I, II, and III were, respectively, 37% +/- 7, 57% +/- 8, and 90% +/- 11. The difference was statistically significant between the three groups of tumors (P < 0.0001). No difference in E-cadherin and CD44 expressions was noted between HIV+ and HIV- women. Further analysis showed no relation between E-cadherin or CD44 expression and the HPV status and CD4 T cell serum levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms that alterations in E-cadherin and CD44 expression in CIN depend on the histological grade but suggest nondirect involvement and are not related to HIV and immune status.
Daraï
E
E
Service de Gynecologie, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris.
Walker-Combrouze
F
F
Bénifla
J L
JL
Hénin
D
D
Feldmann
G
G
Madelenat
P
P
Scoazec
J Y
JY
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors