Characterization of gut-derived intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) residing in human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected intraepithelial neoplastic lesions.

ABSTRACT

PROBLEM: Mucosal T cells are the most likely direct effectors in host anti-human papillomavirus adaptive immunity and regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions. There are no studies addressing intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in CIN lesions. METHOD OF STUDY Cervical lymphocytes were collected using cytobrushes from patients with CIN and analyzed by FACS analysis. Comparisons were made between populations of cervical T cells in CIN regressors and non-regressors. RESULTS: A median of 74% of cervical lymphocytes were CD3(+) T cells. Populations of integrin αEß7(+) IEL in CIN lesions varied markedly among patients (6-57%). Approximately half of integrin ß7(+) T cells were CD45RA-negative memory T cells. The number of integrin αEß7(+) cells among cervical T cells was significantly higher in CIN regressors when compared to non-regressors. CONCLUSION: Higher cervical IEL numbers are associated with spontaneous regression of CIN. Accumulation of cervical integrin αEß7(+) IEL may be necessary for local adaptive effector functions.