Altered expression of cellular membrane molecules of HLA-DR, HLA-G and CD99 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasias and invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of HLA-DR, HLA-G and CD99 during cervical carcinogenesis and to examine the prognostic significance of these protein expressions in invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).


METHODS
Using specific antibodies for HLA-DR, HLA-G and CD99, we examined protein expressions in 19 normal cervix, 15 mild dysplasia (CIN I), 22 moderate dysplasia (CIN II), 23 severe dysplasia (CIN III), and 34 invasive squamous cell carcinoma by immunohistochemistry. And we detected the expression of Ki67 in the same specimens.


RESULTS
None of normal cervix and CINs except three cases of CIN III expressed HLA-DR. HLA-DR expression increased progressively with the grade of the tumor, and significant differences could be observed between grade 1 and grade 2 (P<0.01) and between grade 1 and grade 3 (P<0.05). In all normal epithelial control samples, HLA-G expression was seen in ectocervical squamous and endocervical columnar epithelium and the staining was strong and uniform. Only a small proportion of CINs and SCCs showed reduced expression of HLA-G. Compared with the results in the control samples, CINs and SCCs showed significantly reduced expression of HLA-G (P<0.001). SCCs showed significantly increased expression of CD99 when compared with normal cervix and CINs (P<0.05). Ki67 was expressed in all specimens. Significant differences were observed between CINs and normal cervix (P<0.001) and SCCs and controls (P<0.001), but no significant differences could be observed between SCCs and CINs. None of the expressions of these proteins was associated with any of clinicopathological parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that increased expression of HLA-DR and CD99 may be related to the evolution of cervical cancer. All protein expressions were not associated with clinicopathological parameters.
Zhou
Jian-hong
JH
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 2 Xueshi Road, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
Ye
Feng
F
Chen
Huai-zeng
HZ
Zhou
Cai-yun
CY
Lu
Wei-guo
WG
Xie
Xing
X
D000071443:12E7 Antigen; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D000071443:12E7 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C061828:CD99 protein, human; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059951:HLA-G Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen