Human Leucocytic Antigen –G Expression In Precancerous and Cancerous Cervical Lesions:Association with Host Immune Response

Abstract

This study was performed on forty eight paraffin embedded cervical tissue sections that were obtained from the Early Cancer Detection Unit in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Ain Shams University and divided into three groups as follows: Group 1: 16 cervical sections with LSIL(8 sections positive and 8 sections negative for HPV). Group 2: 16 cervical sections with HSIL(8 sections positive and 8 sections negative for HPV). Group 3: 16 cervical sections with Squamous cell cacinoma (8 sections positive and 8 sections negative for HPV). The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of HLA-G in precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions and its correlation with host immune response.

• All these cervical sections were tested for : 1- HLA-G expression using quantitative real time PCR. 2- Estimation of local host immune response by: a-Scoring of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) by the light microscope. b-Number of NK cells expressing CD57 were counted after immunohistochemical staining with specific monoclonal antibodies against CD57. The following data were obtained: • HLA-G expression was detected in both precancerous and cervical cancer lesions. • The expression increased progressively from precanaerous and cancerous lesions. • No significant statistical difference of HLA-G expression between HPV positive and HPV negative cervical lesions. • HLA-G expression was inversely correlated with host immune response.