Inflammation-related gene expression profiles of endocervical polyps

The roles of inflammation-associated genes in the pathogenesis of endocervical polyps remain unclear. We thus compared the expression levels of 509 inflammation-associated genes between endocervical polyp tissues and endocervical canal membrane tissues using a gene microarray. Sixteen inflammation-related genes were differentially expressed in endocervical polyps compared with those of normal endocervical canal membrane tissues. Expression of 8 of these 16 genes was further validated biochemically. The protein expression levels of IL-12P40, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α, CCR2, and IL-11 were significantly higher in endocervical polyps than those in endocervical canal tissues, while expression of TGF-β1 and IL-10 was significantly lower (P<0.05). In addition, endocervical polyp tissues expressed IL-12P40, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α, CCR2, IL-11, TGF-β1, and IL-10 mainly in the cytoplasm of the inflammatory cells and, to a lesser extent, in the acinus of the serous gland. Endocervical polyp is a polygenic disease and aberrantly expressed genes may play roles in its pathogenesis.