title: Cytokines of Cervical Mucosa and Human Papilloma Virus Infection of the Cervix: A Descriptive Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The production of cytokines by various cervical cells can be triggered by antigenic stimuli, including human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate differences in cytokine levels between various intraepithelial cervical lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 97 women participated in this descriptive study. Within our study population, 27 subjects presented with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), 48 with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and 22 with a normal smear. Colposcopy and directed biopsy were performed as needed. To confirm the presence of HPV, an HPV-DNA test was performed using polymerase chain reaction. Using flow cytometry to ThinPrep cervical samples, we assessed the family of interleukins (ILs), including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and TNF-β and transforming growth factor-β1. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows; version 20.0).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly lower levels of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-4 and TNF-α were detected in cervical samples obtained from the LSIL group when compared to samples obtained from the HSIL group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant differences in tissue cytokine levels exist between intraepithelial cervical lesions obtained from patients presenting with HSIL versus LSIL.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Angelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daniilidis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koutsos
authors.forename: Zinon
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Oikonomou
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasioutziki
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatziparadisi
authors.forename: Theocharis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tantanasis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D003127:Colposcopy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000502:physiology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines