HSP27 is Commonly Expressed in Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions of Brazilian Women

Heat shock proteins are molecular chaperones that may be constitutively present in cells protecting them fromvarious stresses, such as extreme temperature, anoxia or chemical agents. Cervical cancer is the second mostprevalent malignancy of women. In this study, we analyzed the expression of Hsp27 by immunohistochemistryin cervical intraepithelial lesions of Brazilian women, along with samples from non neoplasic lesions (NN).Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I (CIN I), II (CIN II) and III (CIN III)/in situ carcinoma and squamous cellcarcinoma (SCC) were included. Immunostaining was observed in 30 (100%) samples of NN, 46 (92%) in CIN I,50 (100%) in CIN II, 52 (98.11%) in CIN III/CIS, and 46 (98.11%) in SCC. In group NN Hsp27 immunostainingwas heterogeneous, more intense in basal and parabasal layers of the epithelium and less or absent in theintermediate and superficial layer. The majority of the samples of CIS and SCC presented strong staining inallepithelial layers. Metaplasic cells, when present, were strongly stained. In this study, Hsp27 protein was foundto be commonly expressed in cervical epithelial cells.