Can the tonsils influence oral HIV transmission?

Researchers led by Dr. Sharon M. Wahl, of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, examined this question by comparing the gene expression profiles of tonsils and oral gingiva. Although many of the genes examined showed similar expression patterns between the two oral sites, differences were observed. Notably, several genes related to immune functions, including HIV co-receptor CXCR4, displayed significantly higher expression in the tonsils while gingiva more strongly expressed keratin genes, which “thicken” the tissue and provide barrier protection.

Further, Dr. Wahl’s group found that CXCR4 protein was expressed on gingiva, oral mucosa and tonsils, but the expression was strongest in tonsils, particularly in regions where immune surveillance is known to occur. Levels of additional molecules that may bind and entrap HIV, such as complement receptors and FcR, were also higher in the tonsils. However, when antiviral proteins were examined, lower levels of SLPI (secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor), defensins, and thrombospondin were found in the tonsils.

Altogether, Moutsopoulos et al’s data “suggest that increased expression of molecules associated with HIV binding and entry coupled with decreased innate antiviral factors may render the tonsil a potential site for oral transmission.” The decreased amount of keratin and antiviral proteins in the tonsils renders this tissue more permeable to foreign invaders, thus allowing tonsils to function in immune surveillance. However, it also renders the site more accessible to pathogens that infect immune cells. Future studies will elucidate how host vulnerability is influenced by tonsils during exposure to HIV.

This work was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Moutsopoulos NM, Nares S, Nikitakis N, Rangel Z, Wen J, Munson P, Sauk J, Wahl SM. Tonsil Epithelial Factors May Influence Oropharyngeal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission. Am J Pathol 2007 171: 571-579

For press copies of the article, please contact Dr. Audra Cox at 301-634-7409 or acox@asip.org.

For more information on Dr. Sharon Wahl, please contact Bob Kuska at NIH: Phone: 301-594-7560; Email: kuskar@nidcr.nih.gov

The American Journal of Pathology, the official journal of the American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP), seeks to publish high-quality original papers on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of disease. The editors accept manuscripts which report important findings on disease pathogenesis or basic biological mechanisms that relate to disease, without preference for a specific method of analysis. High priority is given to studies on human disease and relevant experimental models using cellular, molecular, biological, animal, chemical and immunological approaches in conjunction with morphology.