Correlation between mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF alpha and progression rate in anal squamous epithelial lesions from HIV-positive men.

BACKGROUND

The incidence of anal high-grade intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) and progression of anal low-grade intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) to HSIL are high in HIV-positive men. Endogenous cytokines might support the pathogenesis of this progression.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Accordingly, we determined mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF alpha and their receptors together with viral genes (HIV-gag and HPV E7) in biopsies of anal condylomas, LSILs and HSILs from HIV-positive individuals by a semiquantitative RT-PCR method.

RESULTS

We found that HSIL significantly differs in expression of these genes from LSIL and condylomas, and the latter two lesions were virtually undistinguishable from each other. A correlation between cytokine levels and HIV as well as HPV E7 transcripts suggests that changes might be associated with each other.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings reveal important molecular events associated with progression of anal intraepithelial lesions (ASILs) in HIV-infected men.