ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Chemokine receptor expression in HIV-positive persons with oropharyngeal candidiasis

Objective:In HIV+ persons with reduced CD4 super(+) T cells, oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is often associated with the accumulation of CD8 super(+) T cells at the epithelial/lamina propria interface within the lesion together with increased tissue-associated cytokines and chemokines. Despite this reactivity, a dysfunction in the ability of the CD8 super(+) cells to reach the organism at the outer epithelium is postulated. The purpose of this study was to examine chemokine receptors present in the OPC lesions for a potential role in susceptibility to infection. Methods:Biopsies taken from buccal mucosa of HIV- persons, healthy mucosa of HIV+ OPC- persons, and OPC lesions were processed for protein immunohistochemical staining or RNA analysis by real-time PCR and Superarray. Results:There was little change in expression of chemokine receptors at the protein or RNA level between OPC+ and OPC- tissue. At the protein level, increases occurred in OPC+ persons only if associated with CD8 cells. In the Superarray, of the 22 chemokine receptor mRNAs expressed, c. 90% remained unchanged (