HSP27 is Commonly Expressed in Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions of Brazilian Women

Heat shock proteins are molecular chaperones that may be constitutively present in cells protecting them from various stresses, such as extreme temperature, anoxia or chemical agents. Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy of women. In this study, we analyzed the expression of Hsp27 by immunohistochemistry in cervical intraepithelial lesions of Brazilian women, along with samples from non neoplasic lesions (NN). Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I (CIN I), II (CIN II) and III (CIN III)/in situ carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were included. Immunostaining was observed in 30 (100%) samples of NN, 46 (92%) in CIN I, 50 (100%) in CIN II, 52 (98.11%) in CIN III/CIS, and 46 (98.11%) in SCC. In group NN Hsp27 immunostaining was heterogeneous, more intense in basal and parabasal layers of the epithelium and less or absent in the intermediate and superficial layer. The majority of the samples of CIS and SCC presented strong staining in all epithelial layers. Metaplasic cells, when present, were strongly stained. In this study, Hsp27 protein was found to be commonly expressed in cervical epithelial cells.