ABSTRACT
Epidermal cell suspensions obtained from 3 symptom-free HIV-positive individuals were cultured and marked with monoclonal antibodies for the HIV proteins p15, p24 and gp120 in the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase staining technique. For 2 individuals, cells were positive after 3 days in culture, and for the third, after 4 days. Supernatant from one of the cultures infected allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We conclude that epidermal Langerhans cells from symptom-free HIV-positive individuals are latent-infected and are able to produce and release HIV.
Subject(s)
Epidermis/microbiology , HIV Seropositivity/microbiology , Langerhans Cells/microbiology , Adult , Cells, Cultured , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
In ten HIV-infected patients oral hyperpigmentations (HP) were observed, which seemed to be unrelated to any of the known endogenous or exogenous etiological factors. Light microscopy revealed accumulation of Fe-negative pigment in keratinocytes of the stratum basale as well as extra- and intracellularly within the subepithelial connective tissue. The ultrastructure of HP was characterised by the occurrence of melanosomes and premelanosomes within keratinocytes, melanocytes, macrophages and occasionally in fibroblasts, while especially in keratinocytes of the superficial cell layers immature melanosomes were found. Immunohistochemical examination pointed to an increase of HLA-DR positive cells and an altered distribution pattern of immunocompetent cells within the hyperpigmented mucosa. The finding of oral HP in HIV-infected patients may occur due to an increased activity of melanocytes, an increased production of melanosomes and their increased transfer to keratinocytes.