In situ increased chemokine expression in human cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Chemokines play a role in tumor-inflammation and angiogenesis that could be involved in tumor progression. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP) have been identified in tumor tissues of patients with different neoplasms. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the expressions of MCP-1, IL-8 and MIP-1α, mononuclear leukocyte infiltration and leukocyte/chemokine expressions in cervical tissues from patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and controls. MCP-1, IL-8 and MIP-1α expressions and leukocyte infiltration were determined by indirect immunofluorescence in cervix biopsies from CIN patients (n=65) and 7 normal controls. Increased expressions of MCP-1 and IL-8 in CIN were observed. Increment of lymphocyte infiltration and coexpression of CD3/MCP-1 and CD3/IL-8 were found in CIN. CD3/MCP-1 cell percentage was found decreased and CD3/IL-8 percentage increased according to the CIN evolution. MIP-1α remained similar to control values. The increased expression of MCP-1 and IL-8 in cervical neoplasia may lead to tumor progression.