Genital Warts In Patients With Lesions Of Telomerase Activity And Apoptosis

Objective: To study telomerase activity, cell apoptosis of epithelium in condyloma acuminate and the correlation between them, and to investigate the expression of Fas, FasL and TRAIL and analyse the correlation between the expression of FasL and TRAIL and the infiltration of mononuclear cells(MNCS) in the dermis, in order to discuss the proliferation and apoptosis state in CA tissues.Methods: Specimens from 60 patients confirmed with CA by clinical and pathological criteria and 30 control tissues of normal foreskin were assayed for telomerase activity using telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP)-ELISA. Apoptotic cells was evaluated using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL),and the expression of Fas , FasL and TRAIL were determined by immunohistochemistry. The numbers of mononuclear cells (MNCS) infiltrating in the dermis were counted under microscope and divided into two grades according to the degree of infiltration.Results: Raised telomerase activity was detected in condyloma acuminata. Apoptosis cells were found in 48 cases (80%) and a statistically significant inverse correlation was found between telomerase activity and apoptotosis index(r=-0.515 , P=0.004). The staining of Fas was seen in all (100%) specimens., 46 (76.7%) cases were FasL positive, and 42 (70%) cases were TRAIL positive. There was reduced infiltration of mononuclear cells(MNCS) in the dermis with intensive FasL and TRAIL staining and was a statistically significant inverse correlation( r = -0.506 and r =-0.450 respectively, P <0.05) between them. Conclusion: (1) Telomerase activaty and apoptosis index in condyloma acuminata were raised, but a statistically significant inverse correlation was found between them. (2)The expression of Fas, FasL and TRAIL were enhanced in CA patients, and the Fas/FasL and TRAIL/TRAIL-R system may involve in the regulation of apotosis. (3) The FasL/TRAIL expressed in keratinocytes induced apoptosis in target cells (MNCS), then affected local immune function.