Related Experiment Videos
An immunohistological study of condylomata acuminata
A McMillan1, P E Bishop, S Fletcher
1Department of Medicine, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, UK.
Insights
Anogenital warts show a consistent immune cell infiltrate, including T-cells and Langerhans
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Virology
Background:
- Anogenital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
- The immune response within warts is crucial for viral clearance and persistence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular immune infiltrate in anogenital warts.
- To characterize the expression of immune markers on cells within wart tissue.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunoperoxidase method was used.
- A panel of monoclonal antibodies was employed to identify specific cell types and markers.
- Wart tissues from 86 individuals were analyzed.
Main Results:
- A consistent stromal infiltrate of lymphocytes, with a CD4+:CD8+ ratio of approximately 5:1, was observed.
- Interleukin-2 receptor-expressing cells constituted about 10% of CD3+ cells in the stroma.
- Langerhans' cells (Leu 6+) were present in all warts, with similar density and morphology to normal skin.
- HLA-DQ expression on Langerhans' cells was lower than HLA-DR expression.
- HLA-DR was expressed on keratinocytes in 40% of warts.
- B-cells were found in only 5% of warts.
Conclusions:
- The cellular immune profile in anogenital warts suggests an active but potentially insufficient immune response.
- The presence of specific immune cells and markers may play a role in the persistence of HPV infection.
Abstract:
Using an indirect immunoperoxidase method and a panel of monoclonal antibodies, anogenital warts removed from 86 individuals (28 heterosexual men, 47 homosexual men and 11 women) were studied. A constant feature was the presence of a stromal infiltrate of lymphocytes, in which CD4+ and CD8+ cells appeared in a ratio of about 5:1. Cells expressing interleukin-2 receptors were found in the stroma, amounting to 10% of the CD3+ cells. Leu 6+ epidermal dendritic cells (Langerhans' cells) were present in each wart; their density and morphology were similar to that in adjacent, apparently normal, skin. The mean number of Langerhans' cells that expressed HLA-DQ was lower than that of HLA-DR + cells. In 40 warts, HLA-DR was expressed on the surface of keratinocytes. Leu 7+ and Leu 11b+ cells were found in the epidermis of 17 and five warts, respectively. B-cells were noted in only five warts. These results are discussed in relation to persistence of wart virus infection.