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Ex Vivo Organotypic Corneal Model of Acute Epithelial Herpes Simplex Virus Type I Infection
Published on: November 3, 2012
Immunohistochemical study of cellular events in lesional skin during common virus infections
1Department of Dermatology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan.
Insights
This study compares immune cell activity in skin lesions caused by various viral infections. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections show distinct cellular patterns compared to measles, rubella, and herpes simplex, impacting skin immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Virology
Background:
- Skin lesions in viral infections involve complex cellular immune responses.
- Understanding these responses is crucial for explaining disease pathogenesis and potential immunosuppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine epidermal Langerhans cell (LC) distribution and infiltrating cellular events in skin lesions.
- To compare these cellular events in varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection with herpes simplex (HS), measles, and rubella.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining using cell surface markers was employed.
- Analysis focused on epidermal and dermal infiltrates, including Langerhans cells (LCs) and CD8+ T cells.
Main Results:
- LCs increased in measles and rubella; VZV infections showed normal to slightly increased LCs.
- HLA-DR positive cells were noted in the basal epidermis (VZV) and aggregated in measles lesions.
- CD8+ T cells extensively infiltrated the dermis in VZV, measles, and rubella, indicating a dominant dermal infiltrate.
Conclusions:
- Distinct patterns of immune cell infiltration characterize different viral exanthems.
- The observed cellular events, particularly CD8+ T cell dominance, may contribute to immunosuppression in skin lesions.
Abstract:
Determination was made of epidermal Langerhans cell (LC) distribution and infiltrating cellular events in lesional skin during varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, and the results were compared with those for herpes simplex (HS), measles, and rubella by immunohistochemical staining with cell surface markers. CD1a positive epidermal LCs increased in number, particularly in measles and rubella. The number of LCs was within the normal range or slightly increased in the epidermis of VZV infection. In herpes zoster (HZ) and varicella, HLA-DR positive epidermal cells were present in the basal part of the epidermis. In measles, HLA-DR positive cells aggregated in papular lesions. In measles and rubella, the number of HLA-DQ positive epidermal cells appeared to increase. In HS cases, CD11b (OKM1) positivity of the upper epidermal keratinocytes was quite pronounced, but not in the basal layer. CD8 positive suppressor/cytotoxic cells extensively infiltrated the dermis of HZ and varicella. Dermal infiltrates were identified as CD8 positive cell dominant in measles, HZ, and varicella. These results provide a partial explanation as to why cellular events in skin lesions act immunosuppressively.
