A comparative analysis of gene expression patterns and cell phenotypes between cervical and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Studies of the immunological environment in the female genital tract (FGT) are critical for the development of vaccines or microbicides to halt the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Challenges arise due to the difficulties of sampling from this site, and the majority of studies have been conducted utilising peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Identifying functional differences between immune cells of the FGT and peripheral blood would aid in our understanding of mucosal immunology.

Premalignant cervical lesions are characterized by dihydrofolate reductase gene amplification and c-Myc overexpression: possible biomarkers.

Objective: The c-Myc oncoprotein deregulation is associated with overall genomic instability and locus-specific genomic instability involving the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) locus. This study analyzes c-Myc protein levels and the stability of the DHFR gene in cervical tissue biopsies.

Materials And Methods: The stability of the DHFR gene was examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).