title: Distribution of immune cell subsets and cytokine-producing cells in the uterine cervix of human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected women: influence of HIV-1 coinfection.
abstract: The aim of this study was to characterize the immune system profile in the uterine cervix of 17 human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected women, compared with 17 whom were coinfected with HIV-1. Five histologically normal cervices in immunocompetent women were used as controls. HPV infection was associated with a marked increase in cells expressing interleukin (IL)-6, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Coinfection by HPV and HIV-1 led to decreased expression of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. However, coinfection led to increased numbers of cells expressing IL-4, IL-10, and IL-8. Compared with the histologically normal cervices, increased numbers of macrophages (CD68, RFD7) and T lymphocytes (CD4, CD8) were seen in HPV-infected cervices; coinfection with HIV-1 was associated with a higher number of CD8 cells and lower number of CD68 cells. HPV DNA localized exclusively to the dysplastic squamous cells, whereas HIV-1 RNA was detected mainly in CD68-positive stromal cells. In conclusion, this study shows differential expression of various cytokines and classes of inflammatory cells, relative to HIV-1 infection and HPV coinfection, which may relate to the risk of transmission of HIV-1 and increased risk of cervical cancer in these women.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Service, Chagas Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Avenida Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alcina Frederica
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Nicol
authors.forename: Ana Teresa Gomes
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grinsztejn
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Russomano
authors.forename: José Roberto Lapa
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: E Silva
authors.forename: Aparecida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tristão
authors.forename: Mauricio de Andrade
authors.initials: Mde A
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Gerard J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Nuovo
authors.forename: Otoniel
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Martínez-Maza
authors.forename: Maria da Gloria
authors.initials: Mda G
authors.lastname: Bonecini-Almeida
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines