The existence of Th22, pure Th17 and Th1 cells in CIN and Cervical Cancer along with their frequency variation in different stages of cervical cancer.

Wenjing Zhang,Fidia Mumtahana,Xinli Tian,Baoxia Cui,Daoxin Ma,Jun Jiao,Kimiko Della Croce,Teng Zhang,Beihua Kong

doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1767-y

Abstract

BackgroundRecently, it is found that T-helper (Th) 22 cells are involved in different types of autoimmune and tumor diseases. But, till now, no study has been carried out to understand the involvement of these cells in cervical cancer (CC).MethodsFlow cytometry was used to determine the expression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin-22 (IL-22), IL-17 in the peripheral blood of healthy controls (HC), CIN and cervical cancer patients. From peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), mRNA expression levels of Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC), TNF-α and IL-6 were respectively determined. Using the method of ELISA, plasma concentrations of IL-22, IL-17 and TNF-α were examined.ResultsTh22 and Th17 cells were elevated in CC and CIN patients. Th1 cells and the plasma concentrations of IL-22 in CC patients were significantly increased compared with HC. In CC patients, an increased prevalence of Th22 cells was associated with lymph node metastases. There was a positive correlation between Th22 and Th17 cells, but an approximately negative correlation between Th22 and Th1 cells in CC patients. The mRNA expression of RORC, TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly high in CC patients.ConclusionsOur results indicate that there is a higher circulatory frequency of Th22, Th17 and Th1 cells in CC which may conjointly participate in the pathogenesis and growth of CC.

Highlights

It is found that T-helper (Th) 22 cells are involved in different types of autoimmune and tumor diseases
Significant difference was found in Th22 cells between Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and CC patients (p < 0.001), but none in Th17 cells (Fig. 2a and b)
Elevated Th1 cells in PB of CC patients Significantly elevated frequencies of Th1 cells were found in CC (7.95 % ± 3.95 %) compared with healthy controls (HC) (4.98 % ± 2.92 %, p < 0.001) and CIN patients (6.23 % ± 2.52 %, p = 0.015)

Summary

Introduction

It is found that T-helper (Th) 22 cells are involved in different types of autoimmune and tumor diseases. Even if the incidence of HPV is high, with the help of cell mediated immunity, it can be cleared spontaneously [4,5,6]. We know that T helper (Th) cells, one subgroup of lymphocytes, have an essential role in the immune system. In the human body (in the presence of IL-6 or/and TNF-α) the naive CD4+cells differentiate into Th22 cells with the aid of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, AHR and RORC [11, 12].

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Conclusion