Quantitative assessment of Langerhans' cells in human cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and wart virus infection.

Langerhans' cell density was assessed quantitatively in cervical wart virus infection (cervical condyloma), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and koilocytic dysplasia with use of an antibody to S100 protein and an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. When compared with normal ectocervix, Langerhans' cell density was significantly decreased in cervical wart virus infection and significantly increased in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. In koilocytic dysplasia, intermediate Langerhans' cell densities were obtained. In addition to being increased within the lesions of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, Langerhans' cell density was increased in the adjacent normal ectocervix. Human papillomavirus, by reducing intraepithelial Langerhans' cell density, may decrease local immune surveillance and thus have a promoter effect in the development of cervical cancer. Following the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia the increase in intraepithelial Langerhans' cell density suggests a specific immune response directed against neoantigens associated with malignant transformation. If a permissive wart virus infection persists after transformation to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (koilocytic dysplasia), continued depletion of Langerhans' cells results in intermediate densities.