Cytokines profiles in cervical mucosa in patients with cervical high-risk human papillomavirus infection

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to detect the expression of local cytokines in cervical mucosa between patients with transient and persistent HR-HPV infection with or without CIN.

Methodology: A total of 150 patients who were diagnosed as HR-HPV infection in Tianjin Central Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology from January 2016 to December 2016 were included in this study. The expression levels of 9 cytokines in 150 patients with HR-HPV infection, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-12p70, IL-21, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, were simultaneously measured by using a multiplex immunoassay. Moreover, HR-HPV genotype was performed by using pyrosequencing. The association between cytokines and HPV genotype was also investigated.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference in IL-1β level between patients with HPV transient infection and HPV persistent infection (p = 0.041). There were statistically significant differences in the levels of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-21 and TNF-α between patients with low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (p = 0.011, p = 0.008, p = 0.046 and p = 0.019, respectively).

Conclusions: Pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and TNF-α, and Th2 type cytokines, IL-10 and IL-21, became stronger in cervical mucosa with the progression of CIN. IL-1β may be advantageous for HR-HPV persistent infection.

Keywords: HR-HPV; cervical mucosa; cytokine; immune environment; persistent HPV infection.