Cytokine profile of cervical cancer cells

Objective. In patients with cervical carcinoma, the presence of cytokines p roduced by T(H)2 cells, and the presence of an eosinophilic inflammatory in filtrate, has been associated with a less effective immune response and tum or progression. In the present study, we have investigated the cytokine pro file of cervical carcinoma cells. In addition, we have measured whether dif ferences in cytokine profiles between normal and malignant cervical epithel ial cells are present. Methods. For this purpose we have determined the mRNA expression patterns o f 20 relevant cytokines by RT-PCR and Southern blotting in 3 normal primary cervical epithelial cell cultures (NPE) and 10 cervical cancer cell lines (CCCL). Results. TGF-beta (1), IL-4, IL-12p35, and IL-15 were produced by all CCCL and NPE. TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-5, and RANTES were present in most NPE, but n ot in any of the CCCL. MCP-1 was expressed in all CCCL but in only one NPE. The presence of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-beta (1) in cervical ca rcinomas was confirmed by RNA in situ hybridization on tissue sections of c arcinomas from which the CCCL originated. Conclusions. Our results suggest that cervical carcinoma cells produce immu nomodulatory cytokines and that cytokine expression patterns change after m alignant transformation. The implications of locally produced cytokines by cervical cancer cells are further discussed. (C) 2001 Academic Press.