TLR9 EXPRESSION, LANGERHANS CELL DENSITY AND LYMPHOCYTIC INFILTRATION IN PROGRESSING CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA

Toll like receptors (TLRs), NK cells, Langerhans cells and T cells play an important role in the protection of host organism from human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. The aim of our study was to analyse TLR9 expression, Langerhans cell density and NK cell and Lymphocytic infiltration in the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). By using standard immunohistochemistry, we have investigated TLR9, CD1a Langerhans cell marker, CD56 NK cell marker, CD3 general T cell marker, CD4 T helper cell marker and CD8 cytotoxic T cell marker. We have introduced NK cell epithelial index and Langerhans cell epithelial index. In addition, we have introduced proliferation apoptotic index of lymphocytes using Ki67 and BCL2 markers. The results of our study showed that TLR9 expression, T cell infiltration and NK epithelial index is significantly increased during the progression of CIN disease. Whilst Langerhans cell epithelial index is significantly decreased. Proliferation apoptotic index of lymphocytes is also significantly decreased during the progression of CIN. Based on our study results we recommend the assessment of TLR9 and proliferation apoptotic index as an additional markers for defining CIN progression potential.