Cytokine response following perturbation of the cervicovaginal milieu during HPV genital infection

Immunol Res. 2021 Jun;69(3):255-263. doi: 10.1007/s12026-021-09196-2. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are oncogenic viruses causing most cervical cancers. Highly prevalent in young, sexually active women, only a minority of HPV infections persist. To better characterize the immuno-modulatory impact of early HPV infections, we measured changes in a panel of 20 cytokines in cervicovaginal samples collected from young women who were tested for HPV and self-reported for genital inflammation and infection symptoms. Multi-factor statistical analyses revealed that increased IL-1Alpha and IL-12/IL-23p40 concentrations were associated with HPV infection and that macrophage inflammatory proteins were associated in particular with high-risk HPV infections. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02946346.

Keywords: Cytokines; Human papillomavirus; Mucosal immunity; Natural history.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alphapapillomavirus / immunology*
  • Alphapapillomavirus / isolation & purification
  • Cervix Uteri / immunology
  • Cervix Uteri / metabolism
  • Cervix Uteri / virology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / analysis
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1alpha / analysis
  • Interleukin-1alpha / metabolism
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Papillomavirus Infections / blood
  • Papillomavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Vagina / immunology
  • Vagina / metabolism
  • Vagina / virology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • IL1A protein, human
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40
  • Interleukin-1alpha

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02946346