Local Lymphocytes and Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Uterine Cervical Stroma of Patients with Grade III Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

• Published in: Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Brazil), 2010-06, Vol.65 (6), p.575-581
• Main Authors: da Silva, Cléber Sergioda, Michelin, Marcia Antoniazi, Etchebehere, Renata Margarida, Adad, Sheila Jorge, Murta, Eddie Fernando Candido
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Antigens, CD - immunology; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - immunology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Case-Control Studies; Cervical cancer; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - immunology; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - pathology; Cervix Uteri - pathology; CIN III; Clinical Science; Female; Humans; Lymphocyte; Lymphocyte Count; Macrophages; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Middle Aged; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase - analysis; Retrospective Studies; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - immunology; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - pathology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1807-5932; 1980-5322; 1980-5322
• DOI: 10.1590/S1807-59322010000600003

Precancerous and cancerous cells can trigger an immune response that may limit tumor development and can be used as a prognostic marker. The aims of the present study were to quantify the presence of B and T lymphocytes, macrophages and cells expressing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the cervical stroma of women with grade III cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN III) or in the intratumoral and peritumoral tissue of women with stage I invasive carcinoma. Cervical tissue specimens were obtained from 60 women (20 each from control tissues, CIN III and invasive carcinomas). The average ages in the control, CIN III and invasive groups were 43.9 (± 4.3), 35.5 (± 9.5), and 50 (± 11.2) years, respectively. The specimens were immunohistochemically labeled with antibodies to identify T lymphocytes (CD3), cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8), B lymphocytes (CD20), macrophages (CD68) and iNOS. We evaluated the markers in the stroma above the squamocolumnar junction (control), at the intraepithelial lesion (CIN cases), and in the nfiltrating tumor. Two independent observers performed the immunohistochemical analysis. T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, macrophages and iNOS were present more frequently (P