Depletion of Langerhans cells in cervical HPV infection is associated with replication of the virus

APMIS. 1993 Nov;101(11):833-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00188.x.

Abstract

We studied the quantity of Langerhans cells in 36 patients with cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Significantly fewer Langerhans cells (p < 0.05) were found in patients with compared to those without DNA tetraploidy. Similarly, patients positive for HPV 16/18 DNA by in situ hybridization or antipeptide IgA antibodies to HPV 18 tended to have fewer Langerhans cells than those negative for HPV 16/18 DNA or IgA antibodies. Our results suggest that depletion of Langerhans cells is associated with productive HPV 16/18 infection in the cervical epithelium.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / metabolism
  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Antigens, CD1
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Langerhans Cells / immunology
  • Langerhans Cells / pathology*
  • Papillomaviridae*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / pathology*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Uterine Cervical Diseases / pathology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, CD1
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Peptides