Chemokine receptor expression in HIV‐positive persons with oropharyngeal candidiasis

Objective:  In HIV+ persons with reduced CD4+ T cells, oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is often associated with the accumulation of CD8+ T cells at the epithelial/lamina propria interface within the lesion together with increased tissue-associated cytokines and chemokines. Despite this reactivity, a dysfunction in the ability of the CD8+ cells to reach the organism at the outer epithelium is postulated. The purpose of this study was to examine chemokine receptors present in the OPC lesions for a potential role in susceptibility to infection. Methods:  Biopsies taken from buccal mucosa of HIV− persons, healthy mucosa of HIV+ OPC− persons, and OPC lesions were processed for protein immunohistochemical staining or RNA analysis by real-time PCR and Superarray. Results:  There was little change in expression of chemokine receptors at the protein or RNA level between OPC+ and OPC− tissue. At the protein level, increases occurred in OPC+ persons only if associated with CD8 cells. In the Superarray, of the 22 chemokine receptor mRNAs expressed, c. 90% remained unchanged (<1.0-fold change) between HIV− and HIV+ tissue and between HIV+ OPC− and HIV+ OPC+ tissue. Conclusion:  Tissue-associated chemokine receptor expression does not appear to contribute to the dysfunction in cellular migration associated with susceptibility to OPC.