Comparative analysis of vaginal inflammatory cytokines among HPV-positive and HPV-negative women in Manila, Philippines

Authors

Domingo V. Macinas, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Ourlad Alzeus Tantengco, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines.
Sheriah Laine de Paz-Silava, Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines.
Ananth Kumar Kammala, Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA.
Ramkumar Menon, Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA.
Brandie DePaoli Taylor, Advocate Health - MidwestFollow
Ian Kim Tabios, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.

Recommended Citation

Macinas DV Jr, Tantengco OAG, de Paz-Silava SLM, et al. Comparative Analysis of Vaginal Inflammatory Cytokines Among HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Women in Manila, Philippines. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2025;94(3):e70148. doi:10.1111/aji.70148

Abstract

Problem: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered the necessary cause of cervical cancer. Studies showed that disruption of the inflammatory milieu in the cervicovaginal mucosa can promote the persistence of HPV, which can result in cervical carcinogenesis. This study determined sociodemographic factors and vaginal inflammatory cytokines associated with HPV infection in Manila, Philippines.

Method: Cervicovaginal swab samples from 110 sexually active women, ages 21 and above, from Manila, diagnosed using real-time PCR, were selected for comparative expression analysis using sandwich-type ELISA of the cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-1b, IL-10, and TNF-α. Independent t-test, Wilcoxon Rank Sum, and Chi-square test were employed. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine factors associated with HPV infection.

Results: Sociodemographic and behavioral factors analyzed in this study did not show a significant association with HPV infection. IL-8 was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) while IL-10 was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the HPV-positive group compared to the HPV-negative samples. Multivariable logistic regression showed that higher IL-1b (OR: 1.007; 95% CI: 1.003-1.012) and lower IL-8 levels (OR: 0.979; 95% CI: 0.970-0.989) were associated with increased odds of HPV infection. IL-8 promotes neutrophil recruitment and viral clearance, IL-1β drives inflammation but may foster persistence via IL-17 induction, and IL-10 suppresses antiviral immunity, enabling HPV evasion.

Conclusion: This study showed that lower IL-8 and higher IL-1β levels were independent predictors of HPV infection. These changes in the microenvironment may control immune cell infiltration and help establish HPV infection.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

40906506