Combined Effects of TLR4 and HIF-1α with COX-2 Genes in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with HPV Infection

Molecular techniques are used for the detection of HPV-related cervical cancer. An average of 48 million instances of cervical cancer are reported each year, 80 % of which occur in developing countries. Aim. To study the correlation of HPV16, HPV18, and HPV 31 genotypes with cervical cancer tissues, and their effects on the expression levels of TLR4, HIF-1α, and COX-2 genes in infected women. Methods. 35 samples were collected from women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma and 30 - from women with normal cervical tissues. Subsequently subjected to HPV genotyping and expression levels of TLR4 and HIF-1α with COX-2 genes were analyzed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results. Molecular detection showed the presence of HPV16, HPV18, and HPV31 genotypes in tested samples. 25 (71.42%) of 35cases containing cervical carcinoma are associated with high-risk HPV, while the other 10 (28.57 %) are associated with low-risk HPV genotypes. The result showed elevation in the levels of gene expression 1.52, 48.0, and 28.8 fold in TLR4 and HIF-1α with COX-2, respectively, in positive HPV-tested cervical cancer samples compared to its values with the housekeeping gene (β actin) to 1 as control characterized by lower expression of target genes. Conclusions. The study indicates that TLR4 and HIF-1α with COX-2 genes are overexpressed in cervical squamous cell carcinoma linked to HPV, which has been reported in all diagnosed cases.