Galectin‐3 and Interleukin‐17: A potential role in the pathogenesis of human papilloma virus infection

Abstract

Background In many cases, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is self‐limiting, as innate and adaptive cell‐mediated immunity is needed for infection elimination; however, the inability of the immune system in some patients to clear the infection is a matter of debate. The interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) family cytokines play an important protective role in host immune response to infections, through maintaining immunity against specific pathogens, induction of antimicrobial proteins, and recruitment of neutrophils to sites of invasion. Galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) may be considered as a marker of viral infection as many studies reported its increased serum level in viral infections. Aims To evaluate levels of serum Gal‐3 and IL‐17 in patients with verrucas and to explore the potential role of these markers in the pathogenesis of the disease. Methods Fifty patients suffering from HPV Infection, and fifty healthy controls were included in this study. Serum levels of Gal‐3 and IL‐17 were assessed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results The patients’ serum Gal‐3 was significantly higher, while IL‐17 was significantly lower than that of the healthy controls (p‐value < 0.001). Moreover, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between Gal‐3 serum level and disease duration and number of warts. Significant negative correlation exists between IL‐17 and Gal‐3 levels. Conclusion Our results indicate a potential role of both IL‐17 and Gal‐3 in the pathogenesis of warts and open a new opportunity in targeting these markers in the future in treating warts.

Human papillomavirus associated cervical lesion: pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions

“…HPV16 E6/E7 can obstruct the production of IL‐1β by inhibiting the binding of IRF6 on the IL‐1β promoter, which is critical in host defenses against injury and infection 92 . The IL‐17 family cytokines play an important protective role in immunes response, while the level of IL‐17 was found to be low in HPV‐infected patients 93 . HPVE6/E7 also downregulate the IL‐2 and impact HPV clearance 94 .…”

“… 92 The IL‐17 family cytokines play an important protective role in immunes response, while the level of IL‐17 was found to be low in HPV‐infected patients. 93 HPVE6/E7 also downregulate the IL‐2 and impact HPV clearance. 94 Additionally, both E6/E7 and E6* from HR‐HPV can elevate the expression of IL‐6 in keratinocytes, fostering a proinflammatory microenvironment that facilitates the progression of cervical lesions.…”

The role of IL‐1β during human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection

“…Of note, infections that are considered self‐limiting are those that resolve spontaneously during the acute phase and do not progress to a chronic state in the vast majority of cases with no medical intervention necessary excluding outbreaks. The latter includes for example, viral infections with: adenoviruses “in immunocompetent individuals” 4 ; dengue virus 5 ; hepatitis E virus 6 ; herpes simplex virus type 1 in “the acute infection state but not the latent infection state” 7 ; human papilloma virus 8 ; and West Nile virus 9 . Furthermore, it also includes bacterial infection with Coxiella burnetii in animals, 10 fungal infection with Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii , 11 and parasitic infection with the protozoan Giardia duodenalis 12 …”

Disseminated molluscum contagiosum after secukinumab: Unreported adverse effect?

“…The IL-17 family cytokines function in host immune response to infections and the serum level of IL-17 in healthy controls is significantly higher than in those suffering from human papilloma virus infection. 3,4 In the most recent pooled analysis of safety concerns regarding psoriasis, no increased risk of viral infections was reported in patients treated with secukinumab versus placebo in either shortor long-clinical trials. 5 Nonetheless, given that secukinumab is an IL-17 inhibitor, that blood work in the patient showed suppressed IL-17, and that IL-17 serum levels have been seen to decrease in individuals with viral infections, we speculate that MC may in this case represent a novel adverse effect of secukinumab.…”