Immunofluorescence Analysis of Erythrocyte Membranes of Cervical Cancer Patients

Abstract

Currently, cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common oncological diseases. In this regard, it is necessary to develop new research methods for a more detailed study of the occurrence and development of the disease at the molecular and cellular levels, as well as to improve the effectiveness of treatment and form a deeper understanding of the causes of relapses. The aim of this work was to study nanoparticles localized on the erythrocyte membrane—presumably HPV 16, 18, before and after radiation therapy, in patients with cervical cancer (CC). To study the surface of red blood cells by the SEM method, venous blood samples from 17 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CC were prepared in thin layers evenly applied to a dry, fat-free glass slide, which was dried at room temperature. To detect nanoparticles on the surface of erythrocytes by the immunofluorescence analysis, we developed a special protocol for preparing erythrocyte masses from patients diagnosed with CC. As a result of using a new method of sample preparation for immunofluorescence assay and using SEM, the hypothesis of the viral nature of nanoparticles localized on the surface of the blood erythrocytes of patients with CC was confirmed: Particles of HPV 16 and 18 are located on the cytoplasmic membrane of erythrocytes. Studies suggest that viruses attach to the erythrocyte membrane, which seems to influence the development of CC, its recurrence, and metastasis.