Differential Expression Of Nlrp3 Inflammasome Genes In Hpv Infected Cervical Cells

The aim of this study was to to evaluate and correlate the expression of some actors of canonical inflammasome pathway with the degree of cervical lesions in cytologic specimens.Methods: The study group included 128 Romanian female patients aged between 16 and 68 years that were referred to Synevo laboratories for performing both a cytological evaluation and HPV genotyping.Results: Out of 128 analysed patients 112 (87.5%) had a positive HPV result (with one or more HPV genotypes), as follows: 34 (26.6%) patients with high-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotype(s) only, 36 (28.1%) cases with low-risk HPV (1rHPV) genotype(s) only, and 42 (32.8%) patients with combined hrHPV and 1rHPV (hrHPV+1rHPV) genotypes. Our study indicate the possibility that NLRP3 inflammasome is differentially activated in HPV-infected cervical cells according to HPV oncogenic potential (hrHPV versus 1rHPV) and degree of cervical lesions.Conclusion: NLRP3-independent mechanisms, such as decrease of IL1B and IL18 transcription in association with high-grade cytological lesions, could be part of the immune escape strategy used by HPV to ensure its persistence in the host cervical cells.