Human papillomavirus-mediated expression of complement regulatory proteins in human cervical cancer cells.

• Expression pattern of complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) CD46, CD59, and CD55 in HPV-positive (HPV +) & negative (HPV-) cervical cancer cell lines. • A differential expression profile of CRPs in HPV+ and HPV- cervical cancer cell lines. • A high level of CD59 expression in Hela cells and SiHa cells but low expression in HPV- C33a cells. • CRPs may serve as potential early diagnostic and immune-modulatory markers for HPV-infected cervical cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the expression pattern of complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) CD46, CD59, and CD55 in HPV-positive (HPV+) & negative (HPV-) cervical cancer cell lines in search of a reliable differential biomarker. We analysed the expression of CRPs in HPV 16-positive SiHa cell line, HPV 18-positive HeLa cell line, and HPV-negative cell line C33a using RT-qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. We observed a differential expression profile of CRPs in HPV+ and HPV- cervical cancer cell lines. The mRNA level of CD59 & CD55 showed a higher expression pattern in HPV+ cells when compared to HPV- cancer cells. However, flow cytometry-based experiments revealed that CD46 was preferentially expressed more in HPV 16-positive SiHa cells followed by HPV 18-positive HeLa cells when compared to HPV- C33a cells. Interestingly, confocal microscopy revealed a high level of CD59 expression in Hela cells and SiHa cells but low expression in HPV- C33a cells. In addition, HPV 18-positive HeLa cells expressed more CD55, which was lower in SiHa cells and very weak in C33a cells. The study demonstrates the differential expression of CRPs in both HPV+ and HPV- cervical cancer cells for the first time, and their potential to serve as an early diagnostic marker for cervical carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]