Reduced MHC Class I and II Expression in HPV-Negative vs. HPV-Positive Cervical Cancers

Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer-associated death in women. Although human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with nearly all CC, it has recently become clear that HPV-negative (HPV-) CC represents a distinct disease phenotype with increased mortality. HPV-positive (HPV+) and HPV- CC demonstrate different molecular pathology, prognosis, and response to treatment. Furthermore, CC caused by HPV alpha 9 types (HPV16-like) often have better outcomes than those caused by HPV alpha 7 types (HPV18-like). This study systematically and comprehensively compared the expression of genes involved in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II presentation within CC caused by HPV alpha 9 types, HPV alpha 7 types, and HPV- CC. We observed increased expression of MHC class I and II classical and non-classical genes in HPV+ CC and overall higher expression of genes involved in their antigen loading and presentation apparatus as well as transcriptional regulation. Increased expression of MHC I-related genes differs from previous studies using cell culture models. These findings identify crucial differences between antigen presentation within the tumor immune microenvironments of HPV+ and HPV- CC, as well as modest differences between HPV alpha 9 and alpha 7 CC. These differences may contribute to the altered patient outcomes and responses to immunotherapy observed between these distinct cancers.