bromochloroacetic-acid and HIV-Infections

The human thymus is a lymphoepithelial organ in which T cells develop during fetal life. After maturation and selection in the fetal thymic microenvironment, T cells emigrate to peripheral lymphoid tissues such as the spleen, gut, and lymph nodes, and establish the peripheral T cell repertoire. Although the thymus has enormous regenerative capacity during fetal development, the regenerative capacity of the human postnatal thymus decreases over time. With the advent of intensive chemotherapy regimens for a variety of cancer syndromes, and the discovery that infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) leads to severe loss of CD4+ T cells, has come the need to understand the role of the human thymus in reconstitution of the immune system in adults. During a recent study of the thymus in HIV infection, we observed many CD8+ T cells in AIDS thymuses that had markers consistent with those of mature effector cytotoxic T cells usually found in peripheral immune tissues, and noted these CD8+ effector T cells were predominately located in a thymic zone termed the thymic perivascular space. This article reviews our own work on the thymus in HIV-1 infection, and discusses the work of others that, taken together, suggest that the thymus contains peripheral immune cell components not only in the setting of HIV infection, but also in myasthenia gravis, as well as throughout normal life during the process of thymus involution. Thus, the human thymus can be thought of as a chimeric organ comprised of both central and peripheral lymphoid tissues. These observations have led us to postulate that the thymic epithelial atrophy and decrease in thymopoiesis that occurs in myasthenia gravis, HIV-1 infection, and thymic involution may in part derive from cytokines or other factors produced by peripheral immune cells within the thymic perivascular space.

Topics: Adult; Aging; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Forecasting; HIV Infections; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Myasthenia Gravis; T-Lymphocytes; Thymus Gland

Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising in the head and neck of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus are described. This article reports the first two cases of primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma associated with infection with human immunodeficiency virus. Clinical presentation, results of imaging studies, histologic characteristics, therapies applied, and the clinical follow-up are described in detail for each of the six cases. These data are evaluated through a review of the current literature.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; CD4-CD8 Ratio; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; HIV Infections; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Keratins; Male; Mandibular Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms

The objectives of this study were to determine (i) the expression of oral cytokeratins (CKs) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects compared with non-HIV controls, (ii) the oral CK expression in the subjects with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) compared with those without HAART, and (iii) factors associated with the expression of oral CKs.. Oral tissues from buccal mucosa were obtained by punched biopsy in HIV-infected subjects with and without HAART, and non-HIV individuals. The samples were processed for immunohistochemical studies of CK1, CK13, CK14, CK16, and involucrin. The staining intensity was scored and recorded. Logistic regression analysis and multi-way ANOVA test were performed.. The expression of CK13, CK14, and CK16 was found to be significantly different between HIV-infected subjects and non-HIV individuals (P < 0.05). The expression of those CKs was also significantly different between those who were and were not on HAART (P < 0.05). No significant difference between the groups was observed regarding CK1 and involucrin..  Oral epithelial cell differentiation as marked by the CK expression is affected by HIV infection and use of HAART. CKs may be the useful biomarkers to identify HIV-infected subjects who are at risk of malignant transformation of the oral mucosa because of HIV infection and HAART.

Topics: 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine; Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Biopsy, Needle; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Chromogenic Compounds; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epithelial Cells; Female; HIV; HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Keratin-1; Keratin-13; Keratin-14; Keratin-16; Keratins; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa; Protein Precursors; Smoking; Viral Load; Young Adult

It has been hypothesized that increased HIV acquisition in uncircumcised men may relate to a more thinly keratinized inner foreskin. However, published data are contradictory and potentially confounded by medical indications for circumcision. We tested the hypothesis that the inner foreskin was more thinly keratinized than the outer foreskin using tissues from 19 healthy, HIV-uninfected men undergoing routine prophylactic circumcision in Rakai, Uganda. Sections from 3 foreskin anatomic sites (inner, outer, and frenar band) were snap-frozen separately. Two independent laboratories each separately stained, imaged, and measured keratin thicknesses in a blinded fashion. There was no significant difference in keratin thickness between the inner (mean = 14.67±7.48 µm) and outer (mean = 13.30±8.49 µm) foreskin, or between the inner foreskin and the frenar band (mean = 16.91±12.42 µm). While the frenar band showed the greatest intra-individual heterogeneity in keratin thickness, there was substantial inter-individual variation seen in all regions. Measurements made by the two laboratories showed high correlation (r = 0.741, 95% CI, 0.533-0.864). We conclude that, despite inter- and intra-individual variability, keratin thickness was similar in the inner and outer foreskin of healthy Ugandan men, and that reduced keratin thickness is not likely to make the inner foreskin more susceptible to HIV acquisition.

Topics: Adult; Circumcision, Male; Foreskin; HIV Infections; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Uganda

The theory that a more thinly keratinized inner foreskin leads to increased HIV-1 susceptibility has been based on relatively little published data. We sought to quantify the keratin thicknesses of the inner and outer foreskin to determine the plausibility of this hypothesis.. We took repeated measurements of the keratin layer of 16 adult male foreskins to determine whether differences existed between the inner and outer foreskin.. Adult foreskins were collected from consenting donors undergoing elective male circumcision for unknown medical indications in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Specimens were processed, sectioned and stained for keratin using antifilaggrin fluorescent antibodies. Slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin were used as controls and compared with results from previously published studies using this method. Keratin layers were measured in a standardized fashion for each specimen.. Comparing our fluorescence-based analysis with previously published immunohistochemical methods revealed that our method was highly accurate for measuring foreskin keratin thickness. There was significant heterogeneity in the keratin thickness of the inner and outer aspects of the male foreskin within and between the different donors. There was no significant difference between the inner and outer foreskin keratin thickness (25.37 +/- 12.51 and 20.54 +/- 12.51 microm, respectively; P = 0.451).. We found no difference between the keratinization of the inner and outer aspects of the adult male foreskin. Keratin layers alone are unlikely to explain why uncircumcised men are at higher risk for HIV infection.

Topics: Adult; Circumcision, Male; Disease Susceptibility; Foreskin; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Male

Topics: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Gingival Neoplasms; HIV Infections; Humans; Keratins; Mandibular Neoplasms; Middle Aged

Recent epidemiological studies have proposed that male circumcision reduces the relative risk of acquiring HIV-1. Here, we evaluated the density of Langerhans' cell and degree of keratinization in the foreskins of Chinese preschool boys and adults.. Sixty preschool boys and 20 healthy men without infectious history following male circumcisions were included. The keratin thickness and Langerhans' cells were quantified by using keratin staining, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis.. The extent of keratinization was much greater in the inner foreskin than in the outer foreskin in adults and boys with infectious history. It was likely to be less keratinized in boys' foreskins compared with those of adults. The density of Langerhans' cells was higher in the outer foreskin than in the inner foreskin of adults and healthy boys. Furthermore, an increased density of Langerhans' cells of inner foreskin was also found in boys with infectious history compared with healthy boys. There was much higher Langerhans' cell density in boys' foreskin compared with those of adults.. These findings suggest that Chinese men may have a different feature of keratin in the foreskin, and a higher Langerhans' cells density in boys' foreskin may be due to it being less keratinized.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Cell Count; Child, Preschool; China; Circumcision, Male; Cohort Studies; Foreskin; HIV Infections; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Langerhans Cells; Male; Penis; Probability; Risk Factors; Young Adult

Topics: Antiviral Agents; Circumcision, Male; Estrogens; HIV Infections; Humans; Keratins; Male

Bilateral and multiple lymphoepithelial cysts (LECs) of major salivary glands, in particular of parotid glands, are quite rare and have been reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients with an incidence of about 3-6%. These lesions represent an early manifestation of HIV infection and are rarely found in patients with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.. Two cases of parotid LECs, the first occurring in a middle-age white woman and the second in a young white boy, both in advanced phases of HIV infection, are reported.. Clinical, cytological, histological and immunohistochemical (cytokeratin AE1/AE3, CD20, CD45RA, CD8, kappa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains, S-100, MLA and Ki67) features are described.. Fine needle aspiration (FNA), a relatively non-traumatic procedure, could represent both a diagnostic and a therapeutic tool in parotid LECs. No surgical therapy is usually required for these lesions and aspiration of cystic fluid with FNA is quite resolutive, although evidence of further relapses does exist. Surgical excision may become necessary when pain, because of persistent and progressive swelling of the parotid gland, occurs.

Topics: Adolescent; B-Lymphocytes; Biopsy, Needle; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cyst Fluid; Cysts; Epithelial Cells; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Keratins; Ki-67 Antigen; Lymphocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Parotid Diseases; S100 Proteins

Lymphadenopathy in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be of diverse etiology, ranging from infection to cancer. A neoplasm of epithelial origin manifested as inguinal lymphadenopathy without a primary lesion is rare. We report a case of Merkel cell tumor confined only to a lymph node in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We believe this is the first report of primary nodal Merkel cell tumor in a patient with HIV. Because Merkel cell tumor is a rare skin neoplasm with features suggestive of high malignant potential, it is important to distinguish a primary nodal Merkel cell tumor from malignant metastatic processes on the one hand and relatively benign causes of adenopathy on the other.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Axilla; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell; Chromogranins; Follow-Up Studies; HIV Infections; Humans; Inguinal Canal; Keratins; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Diseases; Male; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Synaptophysin

It is not clear, whether the so-called basal cells of the salivary striated ducts are an independent cell-type distinct from myoepithelial cells, making characterization of the cell proliferation typical of the duct lesions in Sjögren-type sialadenitis/benign lymphoepithelial lesion (BLEL) difficult. An immunohistochemical investigation including different cytokeratin subtypes, alpha-actin, Ki-67 and Bcl-2 was directed at the epithelial cytoskeleton in normal parotid parenchyma (n=8), BLEL (n=12), HIV-associated lymphoepithelial cysts (n=8) and palatine tonsils (n=8). There are profound morphological and functional differences between basal and myoepithelial cells in the normal salivary duct. Development of duct lesions in BLEL arises from basal cell hyperplasia of striated ducts with aberrant differentiation into a multi-layered and reticulated epithelium, characterized by profound alteration of the cytokeratin pattern. This functionally inferior, metaplastic epithelium is similar to the lymphoepithelial crypt epithelium of palatine tonsils. The often postulated participation of myoepithelial cells in duct lesions of Sjögren disease/BLEL cannot be supported. We regard the designations lymphoepithelial lesion and lymphoepithelial metaplasia as the most appropriate.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biomarkers; Cytoskeleton; Epithelial Cells; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Hyperplasia; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Keratins; Lymphocele; Male; Middle Aged; Palatine Tonsil; Parotid Diseases; Parotid Gland; Salivary Ducts; Sialadenitis; Sjogren's Syndrome

To report a case of conjunctival mucoepidermoid carcinoma occurring in a long-standing pterygium in a 33-year-old Cambodian man infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).. Review of clinical history and histopathologic findings.. A pterygium that was present for 8 years suddenly became highly inflamed and underwent rapid growth. After the initial diagnostic conjunctival and corneal biopsy showed mucoepidermoid carcinoma, subsequent additional deep excisions of the adjacent sclera and cornea were necessary to completely excise the tumor. Cytokeratin and mucicarmine stains were used to confirm the pathologic diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.. Unique features of this case include the extremely young age of the patient (perhaps rendered susceptible by his HIV infection), the tumor masquerading as a pterygium, and the use of a hybrid lamellar and full-thickness corneoscleral resection requiring a complementary graft. Seventeen months after the resection, the patient is free of tumor; this was histopathologically confirmed with multiple random conjunctival biopsies.

Topics: Adult; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid; Carmine; Coloring Agents; Conjunctival Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; HIV Infections; Humans; Keratins; Male; Pterygium

Infectivities of HIV-1 primary isolates and laboratory-adapted strains were compared in primary fetal enterocytes and the colonic epithelial cell line HT29. Infection by two laboratory strains, HIV-1 NDK and HIV-1 NDK(A4), which were adapted on CEM and HT29 cells, respectively, produced significant amounts of virus in both target cell systems. Intestinal cells were resistant to infection with HIV-1 primary isolates regardless of their genetic subtype or SI/NSI phenotype. Biological properties of analyzed viruses rather than differences in cultivation system seem to be responsible for differences between these in vitro and ex vivo results.

Topics: Cells, Cultured; Epithelium; Female; Fetus; HIV Infections; HIV-1; HT29 Cells; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intestinal Mucosa; Keratins; Phenotype; Pregnancy

Didanosine (ddI) that inhibits the reverse transcriptase of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes steatosis and fulminant hepatitis in some patients with HIV. We studied hepatic histopathologic changes with particular attention to ddI-induced Mallory body formation. Three liver biopsies were performed on three patients with HIV who were treated with ddI; an autopsy was performed on a patient with HIV who was also treated with ddI. All hepatic specimens were studied with a routine liver immunohistochemical panel including antibodies to ubiquitin and cytokeratin (CAM 5.2). Morphologically, all hepatic specimens showed focal to diffuse steatosis with a predominance of macrovesicular fatty change. Fibrosis was minimal in three cases. No secondary bacterial and fungal infections were noted. Single or clusters of "empty cells" were present, and some contained Mallory bodies validated by ubiquitin stain. Empty cells are hepatocytes that fail to stain positive for cytokeratin. The Mallory bodies were different from the others because they were randomly distributed and occurred in noncirrhotic hepatic tissue. In the autopsy specimen, the Mallory bodies had a centrilobular location with central fibrosis (central sclerosing hyaline necrosis).

Topics: Adult; Anti-HIV Agents; Biopsy; Didanosine; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inclusion Bodies; Keratins; Liver; Male; Middle Aged; Pathology, Clinical; Ubiquitins

Human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) replicates actively in infected individuals, yet cells with intracellular depots of viral protein are observed only infrequently. Many cells expressing the HIV-1 Gag protein were detected at the surface of the nasopharyngeal tonsil or adenoid. This infected mucosal surface contained T cells and dendritic cells, two cell types that together support HIV-1 replication in culture. The infected cells were multinucleated syncytia and expressed the S100 and p55 dendritic cell markers. Eleven of the 13 specimens analyzed were from donors who did not have symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The interaction of dendritic cells and T cells in mucosa may support HIV-1 replication, even in subclinical stages of infection.

Topics: Adenoids; Adult; Dendritic Cells; Female; Germinal Center; Giant Cells; HIV Core Protein p24; HIV Infections; HIV-1; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; Keratins; Male; Mucous Membrane; T-Lymphocytes; Virus Replication

Topics: Actins; Biomarkers; Collagen; Cysts; HIV Infections; Humans; Keratins; Lymphoid Tissue; Sialadenitis; Sjogren's Syndrome

Cytological smears (CS), taken from the lateral border of the tongue of HIV-seropositive patients (HIV+) (n = 34) and of seronegative controls (HIV-) (n = 16), were examined by means of immunocytochemistry (APAAP) for the distribution patterns of different cytokeratins and MHC class II antigens. Compared with HIV- patients in CS of HIV-infected patients cornification associated cytokeratins 10/11 were increased, while the number of keratinocytes positive for cytokeratins 13/16 was comparable in both groups. Expression of simple epithelial cytokeratins 19, rarely observed in CS of HIV- patients, was a frequent findings in CS of HIV+ patients. Keratinocytes positive for MHC class II antigens were observed in CS of 12/34 HIV+, while all control CS were negative. In the group of HIV+ patients no correlation was found between the clinical presence of HL and the expression of cytokeratins or class II antigens. The altered distribution of cytokeratins may reflect local responses to proliferative stimuli or local inflammation due to the presence of microbial antigens or may occur as a general unspecific reaction in the setting of systemic viral infection. This non-invasive technique seems to be a valuable tool to determine the proliferation rate of oral epithelial cells.

Topics: Adult; Cytodiagnosis; Female; HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity; HLA-DR Antigens; Humans; Immunoblotting; Immunohistochemistry; Keratinocytes; Keratins; Male; Tongue