Cytokine profile of the cervical mucosa of HIV-infected women with papillomavirus infection

Human papillomavirus is recognized as the main etiologic agent of cervical cancer. Among women with HIV, human papillomavirus infection leads to the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer 3–4 times more often compared with HIV-negative women, despite effective combination antiretroviral therapy. The host immune response is critical in determining the course of infection, and cytokines and chemokines play an important role in protection against HPV by influencing viral replication and modulating the immune response. An analysis of data on studies of the level of cytokines and chemokines in samples of biopsy material and scrapings of the cervix and cervical canal in women with co-infection with HIV and HPV of reproductive age 18 years and older is presented. Data on the cytokine profiles of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) are presented. Knowledge of immunological mechanisms and their influence on HPV infection in HIV-positive women can help in understanding the natural history of infection, improving diagnosis and developing effective methods of prevention and treatment to prevent progression of the disease.