Upregulation of IFNE in cervical biopsies of patients with high‐risk human papillomavirus infections

Problem Interferon epsilon (IFN‐ε) is constitutively expressed in the epithelium of female reproductive tract and confers vital protection against sexually transmitted pathogens in mouse models. However, there is limited insight into the role of IFN‐ε in human sexually transmitted infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV). Method of Study Cervical biopsies were obtained from high‐risk (HR) HPV positive (n = 28) and HR‐HPV negative (n = 10) women. mRNA expression of IFN‐ε in cervical tissues was measured by qPCR. Expression of the IFN‐ε protein was determined by Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. Results mRNA expression of IFN‐ε was higher in the ectocervix than that of other IFNs, and was further upregulated in HR‐HPV positive women compared with HR‐HPV negative women. Expression of the IFN‐ε protein was comparable between HR‐HPV infected patients and healthy controls. Conclusions These results reveal differential expression of IFN‐ε mRNA between individuals with or without HR‐HPV infection, and imply direct or indirect regulatory mechanisms for IFN‐ε transcription by HPV. Expression of IFN‐ε protein in HPV infections would require further validation. The role of interferon epsilon (IFN‐ε) in human sexually transmitted infections, particularly human papillomavirus (HPV), remains poorly understood. This study examined the expression of IFN‐ε in cervical tissues of women with high‐risk HPV (HR‐HPV) infection. The results showed increased mRNA expression of IFN‐ε in HR‐HPV‐positive women compared to HR‐HPV‐negative women.