MICA gene polymorphism and the risk to develop cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is associated with human papilloma viruses (HPV) and the HLA genes. The MICA (MHC class I chain-related gene A ) is expressed by keratinocytes and epithelial cells and interacts with gam ma delta T cells. It is therefore possible that MICA might influence the pa thogenesis of CIN and cervical cancer through presentation of viral or tumo r antigens. To investigate his, we det-ermined the MICA transmembrane allel e frequencies in a prospective population-based cohort study from the Vaste rbotten County in northern Sweden. 74 women developed CIN. 153 control wome n who remained healthy during follow up were matched for age. Five polymorp hic microsatellite alleles of MICA were identified by a polymerase chain re action-based (PCR) technique using fluorescent-labeled primers. MICA A5 and A5.1 were the most common alleles in this population. None of the alleles of MICA were associated with disease. The frequency of MICA allele A5 was h igher among HPV 18 seropositive than HPV 18 seronegative patients but this difference was not significant after the correction of p value. In conclusi on, microsatellite allele polymorphism of MICA transmembrane parr is not as sociated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. (C) American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, 1999. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.