Is there a role played by HLA‐E, if any, in HPV immune evasion?

Cervical cancer incidence worldwide exceeds half a million new cases per year. The human papillomavirus (HPV) being the major causative agent of CC uses a variety of strategies to evade immune surveillance, where the immune status varies amongst individuals. This immune evasion altered by HPV is reflected in persistent infections, causing the evolution of cervical neoplasia. The role of the immune system in viral recognition and elimination is of extreme relevance in the development of CC. The interactions of the HLA‐E ligand in the target cell along with CD94/NKG2 receptors, which are expressed predominantly, but not exclusively, on NK cells’ surface, are responsible for activating or inhibiting cytotoxic activity according to their function. The engagement between HLA‐E and CD94/NKG2 molecules is one of the fundamental surveillance mechanisms in patients with CIN I, II and III, where HLA‐E expression increases significantly, especially in HPV 16 and 18 infections. Higher HLA‐E expression was observed in most histopathological types of CC, and at the same time was correlated to best survival of the patient. This review aims to summarize and discuss the immunological role of HLA‐E in the context of HPV infection and immune system evasion, and the oncogenic process of cervical cancer.