Stromal cells play a role in cervical cancer progression mediated by MMP-2 protein

Metalloproteinases, especially metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), are known for their role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix. Nevertheless, a thorough understanding of MMP-2 expression in neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix has yet to be accomplished. This study aimed to analyze the MMP-2 expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III (CIN3) and in cervical squamous cell carcinoma, in tumor cells and adjacent stromal cells. MMP-2 expression was assessed by an immunohistochemical technique. MMP-2 expression was greater in the stromal cells of invasive carcinomas than in CIN3 (p < 0.0001). MMP-2 expression in stromal cells correlates with the clinical stage, gradually increasing as the tumor progresses (p = 0.04). This study corroborates that stromal cells play an important role in tumor invasion and progression, mediated by the progressive enhancement of MMP-2 expression from CIN3 to advanced invasive tumor. The intense MMP-2 expression most probably is associated with poor tumor prognosis.     

MMP-1 and MMP-2 in the cervix uteri in different steps of malignant transformation--an immunohistochemical study.

OBJECTIVES: Enzymatic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) represents a key element in the multistage process of tumor invasion and metastasis. This process requires extensive degradation of ECM components such as basement membrane collagen (type IV) and interstitial collagen (type I, II, III). Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) specifically cleaves collagen type IV, the major collagen of the basement membrane. MMP-1 digests interstitial collagen type I and III, the main collagen types of the stromal extracellular matrix. We investigated protein levels of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in different stages of malignant transformation. METHODS: Using the APAAP method we analyzed 10 normal cervical tissues, 11 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN 1), 8 CIN 2 and 10 CIN 3 lesions, and 15 invasive squamous cell carcinomas. These data were compared with the HPV DNA status tested by hybrid capture II. RESULTS: Only a few isolated epithelial cells stained positively for MMP-1 and MMP-2 in normal cervical tissue and CIN 1 lesions. The CIN 2 and CIN 3 group displayed a heterogeneous distribution of MMP expression. 3 CIN 2 and 8 CIN 3 lesions showed strong MMP-2 and weak MMP-1 expression in the dysplastic epithelial cells. 5 CIN 2 and 2 CIN 3 lesions stained negatively. Invasive carcinomas showed a coexpression for MMP-1 and MMP-2 in malignant epithelial cells and peritumoral stroma cells. All MMP-2-positive cases tested positive for the HPV high-risk group. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of MMP-2 protein in preinvasive lesions of the cervix uteri and a consecutive coexpression of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in invasive cancer suggest a gradually increasing invasive potential. MMP-2 expression, when focally observed in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix, may indicate tumor areas with an increased risk for invasive growth.     

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix-clinicopathologic study using immunohistochemistry and mRNA in situ hybridization

OBJECTIVE: Invasion of the extracellular matrix and blood vessels by malignant neoplasms, with subsequent distant dissemination, is a key event in tumor progression. This process appears to be mediated largely through the action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of proteolytic enzymes produced by both stromal and tumor cells. The role of gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in basement membrane and matrix degradation was described in various tumors. We studied MMP-9 protein expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and squamous cell carcinoma using immunohistochemistry and detected MMP-9 mRNA using in situ hybridization. METHODS: Fifty squamous cell carcinomas, 10 cases of CIN II-III, and 10 normal cervices were stained for MMP-9, using a monoclonal antibody. The presence of MMP-9 mRNA was studied using in situ hybridization. Results were correlated with patient survival during a follow-up period of up to 167 months (average, 41 months). RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining of tumor cells for MMP-9 was noted in 36/50 (72%) carcinomas and 5/10 (50%) CIN lesions, but was uniformly absent from the nonneoplastic epithelium adjacent to tumors and from control cervices. Peritumoral staining of stromal cells was observed in 27/50 (54%) carcinomas, but only in 3/10 (30%) CIN lesions and 1/10 (10%) control cervices. The presence of MMP-9 mRNA was detected in tumor cells in 39 (78%) carcinomas and 8 (80%) CIN lesions, but only in 4 (40%) control cervices. An intense signal for MMP-9 mRNA was observed most frequently in carcinomas. MMP-9 mRNA was detected in stromal cells in the majority of cases. However, an intense signal was observed only in stromal cells around invasive tumors. In survival analysis, age (P = 0.016), grade (P = 0. 016), and stage (P = 0.001) showed independent correlation with poor survival. Neither MMP-9 protein expression nor an intense signal for MMP-9 mRNA was associated with poor survival, although the latter was observed more frequently in neoplastic cells of lethal tumors (8/14 tumors vs 11/36 nonlethal tumors). CONCLUSIONS: MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression are elevated in tumor and stromal cells of both high-grade CIN and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Thus, MMP-9 is possibly an early marker of tumor progression in squamous lesions of the cervix. An intense stromal signal for MMP-9 mRNA characterizes some invasive carcinomas. Expression of MMP-9 in cervical carcinoma cells is present in both lethal and nonlethal tumors, consistent with the key role of this proteolytic enzyme in invasion, and does not appear to predict disease outcome.     

Expression of bcl-2 and bax in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Bcl-2 protein together with the pro-apoptotic protein bax, are thought to function by forming homo- and heterotypic dimers which control the progression to apoptosis. In this immunohistochemical study we investigated the expression of bcl-2 and bax apoptosis related proteins in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Twenty-four cervical intraepithelial neoplasias grade 1-2 (CIN I/II), 38 grade 3 (CIN III), and 53 invasive squamous cell carcinomas (ISCC) were investigated by immunohistochemical staining for bcl-2 and bax protein. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was found in five of the 24 CIN I/II cases (20.8%), 18 of 38 CIN II cases (47.4%) and nine of 53 ISCC cases (17%). The positivity for CIN III was significantly higher than for CIN I/II or ISCC (p=0.0351 and p=0.0018, respectively). The percentage of bax immunopositivity was somewhat higher in CIN III than in CIN I/II but this slight difference was not statistically significant. Correlation of the immunostaining results with tumor grade revealed a significant difference for bcl-2 which was more frequently immunopositive in well-differentiated tumors than in poorly-differentiated tumors. There was no significant relation between bax expression and tumor differentiation. Our results suggest that alterations of bcl-2 and bax expression may occur as a relatively early event in cervical tumorigenesis.     

宫颈鳞癌和上皮内瘤变组织中TRF1、TRF2及HPV16、HPV18的检测及其意义

目的研究端粒结合蛋白TRF1、TRF2在宫颈鳞癌发生发展中的作用并分析HPV16、HPV18感染与TRF1、TRF2蛋白表达的关系。方法随机选择南华大学附属第一医院病理科2005年9月至2006年10月期间的组织石蜡块标本共86例,采用原位杂交方法检测HPV16、HPV18在15例正常宫颈上皮、36例宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)和35例宫颈鳞癌组织中的感染情况;采用免疫组化方法检测所有组织标本中TRF1、TRF2蛋白的表达。结果(1)HPV16、HPV18阳性感染率CIN组[63.9%(23/36)]和宫颈鳞癌组[97.1%(34/35)]显著高于正常组[20.0%(3/15)](χ2=30.639,P<0.01)。(2)TRF1阳性表达率宫颈鳞癌组[40.0%(14/35)]显著低于CIN组[63.9%(23/36)]和正常组[86.7%(13/15)](χ2=10.237,P<0.01);CINⅢ组[42.9%(6/14)]显著低于CINⅠ组[90.0(9/10)](χ2=5.531,P<0.01)。TRF2阳性表达率宫颈鳞癌组[80.0%(28/35)]显著高于CIN组[52.8%(19/36)]和正常组[...     

Comparative study of MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase 2) immune expression in normal uterine cervix, intraepithelial neoplasias, and squamous cells cervical carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in the precursors lesions and in the invasive cervical carcinoma and to quantify the immune reactive expression of MMP-2, using MMP-2 immunohistochemistry, in intraepithelial cervical neoplasias and in the invading cervical carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated 60 samples of cervical tissues using immunohistochemistry for MMP-2 in 5 distinct groups. The groups were divided in control, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I (CIN I), CIN II, CIN III, and cervical invading carcinoma. RESULTS: MMP-2 expression was found gradually increased according to the degree of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical carcinoma. (Control相似文献   

Expression of glucose transporter-1 in cervical cancer and its precursors

OBJECTIVE: Increased glucose uptake and utilization is a known phenomenon exhibited by malignant cells. Overexpression of the glucose transporter protein family is thought to be the principal mechanism by which these cells achieve up-regulation. Our purpose is to determine glucose transporter-1 (GLUT 1) expression in squamous carcinoma of the cervix and precursor lesions. METHODS: Archival histologic sections were obtained from 31 cases of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix, 15 cases of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, 5 cases of low-grade, and 9 normal cervices. Immunohistochemistry for GLUT 1 protein was performed using polyclonal GLUT 1 antibody (Dako, Carpinteria, CA) and the labeled streptavidin-biotin procedure. RESULTS: Compared to the internal control, the pattern of staining varied from weak (1+) to strong (3+) reactions. In normal cervix, 1+ GLUT 1 staining was seen in the basal cells of the squamous epithelium. All 31 (100%) cases of SCC were positive for GLUT 1. Positive reactions seemed more intense in tumor cells that were farther away from the stromal blood supply. There was a correlation between intensity of reaction for GLUT 1 and histologic grade of tumor (P = 0.0027) and with progression from normal or dysplastic lesions to invasive cancer (P = 0.0001). Intensity was a predictor of the presence of poorly differentiated tumor type. Low-grade CIN staining was seen in less than one-third of the epithelium, while in high-grade lesions the reaction was present in over one-half of the epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: GLUT 1 is overexpressed in cervical carcinoma. The process appears to be related to grade of tumor but not to the progression from preneoplastic lesions. The results suggest that GLUT 1 overexpression is a late phenomenon in cellular transformation. Furthermore, the possible relation of expression to tumor blood supply suggests that the malignant cells may have an adaptive environmental ability to compensate for a compromised microenvironment.     

Lymphatic vessel density and epithelial D2-40 immunoreactivity in pre-invasive and invasive lesions of the uterine cervix

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the significance of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in pre-malignant lesions and carcinomas of the uterine cervix and to evaluate the prognostic value of lymphatic invasion and D2-40 positivity in tumor cells in the three histological types of invasive lesions. The correlation of LVD, lymphatic invasion and D2-40 positivity in tumor cells with EGFR and COX-2 expressions was also evaluated. METHODS: We studied 50 cervicitis, 50 low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) (CIN1), 51 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) (CIN2/CIN3), 49 invasive squamous cells carcinomas (SCC), 43 adenocarcinomas (AC) and 30 adenosquamous cells carcinomas (ASC). The immunoreaction assay was performed using the monoclonal antibody D2-40. RESULTS: Significant differences in LVD were found among all categories of pre-invasive and invasive lesions (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). LVD in invasive lesions was significantly greater than in pre-invasive lesions (p<0.001) and no significant association was found between LVD in invasive lesions and both lymph node invasion and/or metastasis. D2-40 positivity in tumor cells was associated with a better prognosis in ASC cases. EGFR and COX-2 expressions in invasive lesions were not associated with LVD; however, they correlated with both lymphatic invasion and D2-40 positivity in tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic neovascularization begins early in intraepithelial lesions and continues to increase towards malignancy. Both lymphatic invasion and decrease in D2-40 expression in tumor cells appear to have a prognostic value.     

基质金属蛋白酶-9及基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制物-1表达失衡与宫颈癌局部肿瘤血管生成的关系

目的 :探讨基质金属蛋白酶 - 9(MMP 9)和基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制物 - 1(TIMP 1)在宫颈癌局部肿瘤血管生成中的作用。方法 :采用免疫组织化学SP法检测 75例早期宫颈癌 (ICC)、18例宫颈上皮内瘤样病变 (CIN)和 15例癌旁正常宫颈上皮 (NCE)中MMP 9和TIMP 1的表达情况 ,并检测其中微血管密度 (MVD ,CD3 4 标记 )。结果 :从NCE组到CIN组再到ICC组 ,MMP 9的阳性表达率显著升高 (P <0 0 5 )而TIMP 1未见升高 (P >0 0 5 ) ,并且TIMP 1在ICC组的阳性表达率显著低于MMP 9(P <0 0 1)。MMP 9在ICC组中表达与MVD显著正相关 (r =0 2 87,P <0 0 5 ) ,而TIMP 1与MVD无显著相关性 (r=0 195 ,P >0 0 5 )。宫颈癌中MMP 9表达高于TIMP 1者 ,其MVD显著高于MMP 9表达低于TIMP 1者 (P <0 0 5 )。结论 :MMP 9和TIMP 1表达失衡可能在宫颈癌局部肿瘤血管生成中起重要作用 ,MMP 9表达增强而TIMP 1表达降低 ,其血管生成能力可能显著增强 ,但并非唯一决定因素。检测宫颈癌中MMP 9和TIMP 1表达对进一步了解宫颈癌局部血管生成情况有一定的应用价值。     

survivin、FHIT及bFGF在宫颈鳞癌组织中的表达及意义

目的:研究凋亡抑制基因survivin、抑癌基因FHIT及碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)在正常宫颈组织、宫颈上皮内瘤变组织(CIN)及宫颈鳞癌组织中的表达及其与宫颈鳞癌临床分期、病理分级及淋巴结转移的关系,探讨其在宫颈鳞癌发生、发展中的作用。方法:分析郑州大学第二附属医院病理科2008年1月至2009年11月手术切除、病理检查证实为宫颈鳞癌的组织标本45例,另取CIN45例、正常宫颈组织15例(子宫肌瘤行子宫全切除术的宫颈组织)作为对照,应用免疫组化SP法检测survivin、FHIT及bFGF在3组宫颈组织中的表达情况。结果:sur-vivin在正常宫颈组织、CIN及宫颈鳞癌组织中的阳性表达呈上升趋势(χ2=11.429,P<0.05),survivin的表达在宫颈鳞癌不同临床分期、病理分级间比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);FHIT在正常宫颈组织、CIN及宫颈鳞癌组织中的阳性表达呈下降趋势(χ2=24.640,P<0.05),FHIT的表达与宫颈鳞癌病理特征的关系中,仅在淋巴结有无转移方面比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);bFGF在正常宫颈组织、CIN及宫颈鳞癌组织中的阳性表达依次呈上升趋势(χ2=17.552,P<0.05),bFGF的表达在宫颈鳞癌不同临床分期、病理分级及淋巴结有无转移方面比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:survivin、FHIT、bFGF的表达与宫颈病变的进展有一定的关系,并且可能与宫颈鳞癌的发生、发展及浸润和转移有关。     

MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression correlates with poor prognosis in cervical carcinoma--a clinicopathologic study using immunohistochemistry and mRNA in situ hybridization.

OBJECTIVE: The spread of malignant neoplasms is closely associated with matrix and basement membrane degradation, mediated by various classes of proteolytic enzymes. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) appear to have a key role in the sequence of events that lead to local invasion and metastasis. The present study evaluated the role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), and membrane-type metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in cervical neoplasia. METHODS: We have analyzed 49 uterine cervical squamous cell carcinomas, 10 cases of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN II-III), and 10 control cervices for the presence of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MT1-MMP using in situ hybridization. MMP-2 protein expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Results were analyzed for possible correlation with disease outcome. RESULTS: MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MT1-MMP mRNA were localized to both stromal and tumor cells. However, an intense signal for MMP-2 was detected almost exclusively in tumor cells and was uniformly absent from CIN lesions and control cervices. Conversely, intense signals for TIMP-2 and MT1-MMP were detected in both stromal and tumor cells of invasive carcinomas, more often for the former. As with MMP-2, they were absent from CIN lesions. MMP-2 protein expression was enhanced in tumor cells compared to CIN cases and controls, significantly compared to the latter (P = 0.01). The presence of both MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA in tumor cells correlated with advanced stage (P = 0.003 for MMP-2, P = 0.002 for TIMP-2) and with poor survival (P = 0.003 for MMP-2, P = 0.002 for TIMP-2) in univariate analysis. In addition, their presence in tumor cells intercorrelated (P = 0.002). In multivariate survival analysis, MMP-2 presence retained its association with survival (P = 0.004), in addition to patient age (P = 0.027) and advanced stage (P = 0. 0002). CONCLUSIONS: Both MMP-2 and TIMP-2 have a key role in extracellular matrix invasion in cervical carcinoma, largely through their elaboration by tumor cells. The presence of mRNA for both proteins is interrelated and is associated with poor survival.     

子宫颈癌组织中水通道蛋白8和bcl-2蛋白的表达及其相关性

目的 探讨水通道蛋白(AQP)8、bcl-2蛋白在宫颈癌组织中的表达及其相关性.方法 采用免疫组化Envision二步法检测AQP8和bcl-2蛋白在74例宫颈癌(其中鳞癌46例、腺癌28例)、34例宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)和15例正常宫颈组织中的表达情况,并分析两者的相关性.结果 AQP8和bcl-2蛋白主要在CIN异型细胞和宫颈癌细胞的细胞质内表达,AQP8蛋白在宫颈鳞癌、腺癌、CIN和正常宫颈组织中的阳性表达率分别为98%、61%、71%和53%,鳞癌高于腺癌、CIN和正常宫颈组织,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);腺癌与CIN、正常宫颈组织比较,CIN与正常宫颈组织比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).bcl-2蛋白在宫颈鳞癌、腺癌、CIN和正常宫颈组织中的阳性表达率分别为74%、71%、53%和20%,鳞癌与腺癌组织比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);鳞癌、腺癌高于CIN、正常宫颈组织,CIN也高于正常宫颈组织,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01).AQP8和bcl-2蛋白在宫颈癌组织中的表达呈明显正相关(rs=0.463,P=0.000).结论 AQP8和bcl-2蛋白在宫颈癌组织中的表达呈明显正相关,AQP8蛋白表达上调可能与宫颈癌的发生、发展有一定的关系.     

Survivin, a novel anti-apoptosis inhibitor, expression in uterine cervical cancer and relationship with prognostic factors

A novel inhibitor of apoptosis, Survivin, seems to be involved in the critical steps of cancer onset and progression and may be associated with unfavorable clinical outcome. We investigated the expression of Survivin in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) and uterine cervical cancer, to determine whether Survivin expression is related to poor prognosis. Fourteen cases of CIN3, 53 cases of invasive uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 11 cases of normal control group were analyzed retrospectively. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot was performed with antihuman Survivin antibody and analyzed with respect to patient outcome. Survivin was significantly expressed in cervical cancer groups compared to the normal control group (P < 0.05). Significant Survivin expression was also noted in cancer patients with lesion size > or =4 cm, lymphovascular invasion, elevated SCC antigen levels, and no response to initial therapy. In more advanced stages, Survivin expression tended to increase but without statistical significance (P = 0.081). No association was noted between Survivin expression and survival rate (P = 0.1011). We conclude that Survivin expression provides some prognostic information regarding uterine cervical cancer, even though it was not correlated with survival. It could represent a possible new prognostic marker of uterine cervical SCC patients.     

宫颈鳞癌中膜突蛋白及CD105的表达及其临床意义

目的:研究膜突蛋白(Moesin)及CD105在各级宫颈病变中的表达水平,探讨其与宫颈鳞癌的发展及浸润的关系。方法:采用免疫组化SP法检测31例正常宫颈组织(NCE)、48例宫颈上皮内瘤样变(CIN)及66例宫颈鳞癌组织(SCC)中Moesin及CD105的表达。结果:从NCE到CIN到SCC组,Moesin的表达水平显著升高。在CIN组Moesin的表达随病变程度加重而升高;SCC组中与FIGO分期、浸润深度、盆腔淋巴转移有关,与组织分化程度及年龄无关。从NCE到CIN到SCC组,CD105表达的微血管密度(MVD)值显著升高,在SCC组中与淋巴转移及浸润深度有关,且与Moesin蛋白具有较高关联性。结论:Moesin蛋白及CD105可能在宫颈鳞癌的发展及转移过程中起重要作用,二者结合可能成为判断宫颈病变生物学行为的重要指标。     

Human telomerase RNA gene (TERC) gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 in cervicovaginal liquid-based pap preparations: a fluorescence in situ hybridization study

PURPOSE. This study investigated human telomerase RNA gene (TERC) gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 in cervicovaginal liquid-based pap preparations in Guilin, China, and assessed the relationship between FISH findings and clinical diagnoses. METHODS. Slides prepared from 63 liquid-based preparations with cytologic diagnoses of negative for squamous intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM n = 9), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS, n = 18), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL, n = 14), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL, n = 9), and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA, n = 13) were analyzed for TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 using a commercially available two-color FISH probe. The results of the cytologic analysis and those of concurrent or subsequent biopsies, when available, were compared with the FISH findings. The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess associations between FISH findings and diagnoses. RESULTS. TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 were significantly associated with the cytologic diagnosis (p? 0.001). Patients with HSIL or SCCA cytology diagnoses had a significantly higher percentage of cells with TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 than did patients with NILM, ASCUS or LSIL cytologic diagnoses. Those abnormal cases with CIN1 histological diagnosis had a significantly lower percentage of cells with TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 than did patients with a CIN2, CIN3 and SCCA histological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS. TERC gain and polysomy of chromosome 3 may be important associated genetic events in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and carcinoma. FISH is a potential tool for the diagnoses of uterine cervix disease.     

宫颈癌前病变与宫颈鳞癌组织中Foxp3的表达及临床意义

目的 观察宫颈鳞癌及癌前病变组织中Foxp3的表达情况.方法 采用免疫组化检测浸润性宫颈鳞癌(FIGOⅠ期或ⅡA期,共20例)、宫颈上皮内瘤样病变(CIN1、CIN2、CIN3各20例)、宫颈HPV感染(20例)及正常宫颈(20例)组织中Foxp3的表达情况.结果 浸润性宫颈鳞癌与CIN3患者宫颈组织中Foxp3表达明...     

Laminin-5 gamma 2 chain expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cervical carcinoma

BACKGROUND. To analyze the expression of laminin-5 gamma 2 chain, a protein which plays a major role in keratinocyte migration, in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and invasive cervical carcinoma associated with high-risk oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs). MATERIAL AND METHODS. The expression of laminin-5 gamma 2 chain protein has been analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 17 cases of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL-CIN1), 35 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL-CIN2/3), 18 microinvasive or invasive carcinomas, and three metastatic lymph nodes. All these lesions have been proved to contain HR-HPVs and were also positive for p16 protein which classically is overexpressed at all stages of cervical neoplasia and dysplasia linked with HR-HPVs. 20 cases of normal cervix served as controls. RESULTS. The expression of laminin-5 gamma 2 chain protein was observed in 100% of invasive or microinvasive carcinoma and in their related lymph node metastasis with an immunoreactivity located preferentially at the invasive front of the lesions. All the HSILs (100%) associated with invasive carcinoma were also positive. In contrast, in HSILs without associated invasive component, the expression of the protein has been found in only 34% of cases. In positive HSILs, laminin-5 gamma 2 protein was expressed in basal layers. In LSILs and normal epithelium, no expression of the protein was noted. CONCLUSIONS. We conclude the following: (i) the expression of laminin-5 gamma 2 is a late event in cervical carcinogenesis increasing with the grade of dysplastic lesions; (ii) laminin-5 gamma 2 expression facilitates the identification of invasive and microinvasive lesions which could be difficult to diagnose on the basis of routine stains; (iii) laminin-5 gamma 2 expression in HSILs could potentially identify those lesions with a more increased risk of tumor progression.