Adenovirus infection of the cornea causes histopathologic changes in the lacrimal gland.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects on the lacrimal gland of adenovirus infection of the cornea.


METHODS
Rabbit corneas were inoculated with human adenoviruses Ad5, Ad14, or a rabbit adapted form of Ad 5, and in some instances booster inoculations were given. Sections of lacrimal glands removed 21-59 days post-inoculation were immunostained using antibodies against rabbit Class I and Class II MHC molecules, CD4, CD8, CD18, and rabbit thymic lymphocyte antigen (RTLA). Relative numbers of positively stained cells were quantified with a Metamorph image analysis system.


RESULTS
RTLA and CD18 antigens were expressed on many interstitial cells in the normal lacrimal gland, but few expressed CD4 or CD8. The number of RTLA+ cells increased by 60-100% after inoculation of Ad5 and after boosting, and CD18+ cells increased from 33-100% after inoculation of Ad5 and after boosting. Booster inoculations also caused focal lymphocytic infiltration. MHC Class I was expressed on interstitial cells and duct epithelium, but not acinar cells, and there was no detectable difference after viral infection. In controls, MHC Class II was localized to a population of interstitial cells and a few acinar cells. A single inoculation of the Ad5 virus did not result in an increase in the total number of MHC Class II-positive cells at 21 days, but inoculation with the rabbit-adapted Ad 5 and booster inoculations caused a 30% increase.


CONCLUSIONS
Ad5 and rabbit-adapted Ad5 infection of the cornea induce lymphocytic infiltration in the lacrimal gland, and the effect is enhanced by boosting. There is also an increase in expression of MHC Class II after inoculation with rabbit-adapted Ad5 and with booster inoculations.
Wood
R L
RL
Department of Cell and Neurobiology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Trousdale
M D
MD
Stevenson
D
D
Azzarolo
A M
AM
Mircheff
A K
AK
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D018821:CD18 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003315:Cornea / Q000821:virology*; D003319:Corneal Stroma; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007267:Injections; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D012016:Reference Values
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D018821:CD18 Antigens; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II