CD8 T cells and E-cadherin in host responses against oropharyngeal candidiasis

K. Quimby, E. A. Lilly, M. Zacharek, K. McNulty, J. E. Leigh, J. E. Vazquez, P. L. Fidel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is the most common oral infection in HIV+ persons. Previous studies suggest a role for CD8+ T cells against OPC when CD4+ T cells are lost, but enhanced susceptibility to infection occurs when CD8+ T-cell migration is inhibited by reduced tissue E-cadherin. Objective: To conduct a longitudinal study of tissue CD8+ T-cells and E-cadherin expression before, during, and after the episodes of OPC. Methods: Oral fungal burden was monitored and tissue was evaluated for CD8+ T cells and E-cadherin over a 1-year period in HIV+ persons with a history of, or an acute episode of, OPC. Results: While longitudinal analyses precluded formal interpretations, point prevalence analyses of the data set revealed that when patients experiencing OPC were successfully treated, tissue E-cadherin expression was similar to that in patients who had not experienced OPC, and higher numbers of CD8+ T cells were distributed throughout OPC- tissue under normal expression of E-cadherin. Conclusion: These results suggest that (1) reduction in tissue E-cadherin expression in patients with OPC+ is not permanent, and (2) high numbers of CD8+ T cells can be distributed throughout OPC- tissue under normal E-cadherin expression. Together, these results extend our previous studies and continue to support a role for CD8+ T cells in host defense against OPC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)153-161
Number of pages9
JournalOral Diseases
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • E-cadherin
  • HIV
  • Oropharyngeal candidiasis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Dentistry
  • Otorhinolaryngology

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