Indexes of transforming growth factors in female patients with human papillomavirus and fertility problems

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes one of the most common sexually transmitted viral infections. HPV is the inducing factor of changes in multilayer, flat and metaplastic epithelium, which further leads to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, with possible carcinogenesis of the cervix. The state of local and general immunity is a crucial factor in emergence of viral infections, including PVI. The immune response may prevent both manifesting and latent HPV infection. Cellular immunity provides a blocking effect on the persistence of the virus and, in some cases, promotes spontaneous regression of lesions. Involvement of cellular immunity in this pathological process is proven by detection of a large number of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the infiltrate of regressing condiloma lesions. In general, a decrease in cellular immunity is associated with HPV infection. One of the main roles in regulation of immune response in papillomavirus infection (PVI) is assigned to soluble factors of intermolecular interaction, including transforming growth factors. The aim of our study was to assess the levels of TFR β1, TFR β2, TFR α in women with papillomavirus infection (PVI) and reproductive disorders. Materials and methods: Blood serum samples were studied in 75 female patients, aged 25 to 44 years. The patients were divided into 3 main groups: I, STIs with PVI; II, STIs without PVI, and III, control group. The 1^st and 2^nd main groups were divided into subgroups depending on reproductive disorders: 1 subgroup was without fertility disorders, and 2 subgroup, infertility. Biological material was collected after the women were examined and diagnosed. The prevailing hyperproduction of transforming growth factors β 1 and 2 in women with papillomavirus infection suggests immunosuppression in this category of patients. This condition may lead to impaired reproductive function due to physiological immunosuppression upon the onset of pregnancy, or due to persistence of the viral process, inducing disturbances in both local and systemic immune responses, thus threatening the normal functions of endometrial tissue, in particular, preventing tight attachment of the fetal egg to the villi of the endometrium and prolongation of pregnancy.