Introduction/Background Regulatory (FOXP3+) T cells (Tregs) comprise a subpopulation of CD4+ T cells that suppress autoreactive immune cells, thereby protecting organs and tissues from autoimmunity. Novel therapeutic strategies for cervical cancer and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) focus on immune-modulatory and cancer vaccination approaches.

The aim of this study was to analyze the role of T regulatory cells (Tregs), CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and HPV status in low and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL).

Methodology 62 patients were enrolled in the study in Riga East University Hospital. Each patient had undergone a biopsy or electroexcision of the cervix. The Immunostaining for CD4, CD8 and FOXP3 was performed on tissue samples of normal (n=10) and LSIL (n=32) and HSIL (20) lesions. The Aptima HPV assay was used to assess HPV infection.

Results Obtained results showed that patients the numbers of CD4 T-lymphocytes did not differed between the patients with LSIL and HSIL. However, patients with HSIL had significant CD8 T-lymphocytes upregulation compared to patients with LSIL (16±4 vs. 8±2 cells/mm², p=0.001). In addition patients with HSIL with concomitant epithelial koilocytosis demonstrated increased numbers of FOXP3 positive T-lymphocytes compared to patients with LSIL ( 12±6 vs. 6±2 cells/mm², p=0.02). The HPV was detected in 92% of HSIL and 82% of LSIL patients. The numbers of FOXP3 T lymphocytes correlated with HPV status (Rho=+ 0.82; p<0.0001).

Conclusion Upregulation of T regulatory lymphocytes in patients with HSIL suggested the pivotal role of Tregs for counteracting the host immune response for the progression from LSIL to HSIL, which correlated with HPV infection. Prime targets for new immune-based non-invasive therapies for the HSIL treatment could be beneficial.

Disclosure Nothing to disclose.