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THE LOCAL IMMUNE RESPONSE TO LOW‐GRADE CIN – ALTERATIONS IN T‐CELL AND MACROPHAGE SUBSETS
Author(s) -
Ahmed S. M.,
Reid W. M. N.,
Poulter L. W.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1365-2303
pISSN - 0956-5507
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2303.2006.00392_13_8.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cd8 , cd68 , macrophage , immunology , immune system , t cell , cervix , immunohistochemistry , biology , cancer , biochemistry , in vitro
Despite the cervix having the largest concentration of lymphocytes and macrophages in the lower genital tract, there is limited knowledge of these cell types in CIN. This study was undertaken to compare T‐cell and macrophage populations in women with and without low‐grade CIN. Methods: Control group: 10 women with a normal recent cervical smear result, mean age 30 years. Study group: 10 women with low‐grade CIN, mean age 33.2 years. Colposcopically directed cervical biopsies were taken from control women and from areas of CIN in the study group, and studied using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence staining. Results: T‐cell numbers remained constant. In CIN, there were increased proportions of recruited (CD8+CD5+), activated (CD8+HLA‐DR+) and cytolytic (CD8+TIA‐1+) CD8 T‐cells. There were more activated CD4+HLA‐DR+ T‐cells in CIN. Memory T‐cell (CD8+CD45RO+ and CD4+CD45RO+) proportions were reduced. Total macrophage numbers (CD68+) remained constant, but activated macrophages (CD68+HLA‐DR+) rose. Phagocytic (RFD7+) macrophage proportions decreased with a concomitant increase in suppresser macrophages (RFD1+RFD7+). Discussion: Despite cellular numbers remaining unchanged, there were significant changes in T‐cell and macrophage populations in women with low‐grade CIN. There is recruitment of activated and cytolytic CD8 T‐cells. The swing to a predominantly suppressive macrophage phenotype may predispose to CIN. Carcinoma of the cervix occurs more frequently in women who are immunosuppressed. Our data suggests that local and systemic immune mechanisms may be relevant in the response to HPV‐induced neoplasia.