[Morphologic characteristics of epidermal cells in HIV infection]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2026

Generation of Organotypic Raft Cultures from Primary Human Keratinocytes
Published on: February 22, 2012
Abstract:
Skin biopsies at the plaque regions and adjacent skin obtained from HIV-infected 22-40-year-old patients with Kaposi's sarcoma have been analyzed. Morphological changes revealed depended on the stage of the disease and cell specificity. The alterations were as follows: cell adenoma with degeneration and destruction of cell organelles, changes of the specific granules and microfilaments. Langerhans cells appeared to be most susceptible to HIV and showed all types of changes. In the course of the disease gradual decrease of the activity of the main metabolic enzyme - adenylate cyclase - was recorded.
Related Concept Videos
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
Cells of the Epidermis
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...

