The expression of histocompatibility antigen HLA-DR in cervical squamous epithelium infected with human papilloma virus.

Uterine cervices with histologic changes suggestive of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection were examined for the presence of papilloma virus capsid antigens and the Class II histocompatibility antigen HLA-DR. The purpose of this study was to determine whether papilloma virus infection could induce HLA-DR expression by squamous cells. This expression would allow squamous epithelium to function as antigen-presenting cells and perhaps initiate the immune response. In 20 cases in which HPV capsid antigens were identified, no HLA-DR expression was noted. HLA-DR expression was noted on Langerhans cells within the squamous epithelium and on mononuclear cells in the underlying lamina propria. HLA-DR-positive cells were also noted between columnar epithelial cells of the endocervix. We conclude that HPV infection does not induce HLA-DR expression in the cells it infects.