Surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 on epithelial cells in the human adenoid.
Human rhinoviruses enter the host by way of the nose and conjunctiva. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is the cellular receptor for the majority of rhinoviruses. ICAM-1 expression on the luminal surface of epithelial cells in the upper airway may be an important determinant of virus localization in the airway. Eighteen adenoids and 5 nasopharyngeal biopsies were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for surface expression of ICAM-1. Heavy immunoreactivity of ICAM-1 was found on the surface of a small number of single nonciliated cells in the lymphoepithelium. Squamous epithelial cells showed minimal to no staining, and ciliated epithelium had positive ICAM-1 staining of the basal cells but not on the ciliated border. The localization of ICAM-1 expression to specific, limited areas of the surface epithelium of the nasopharynx may have important implications in the pathogenesis of rhinovirus infections, especially initiation of the host response to rhinovirus.
Winther
B
B
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
Greve
J M
JM
Gwaltney
J M
JM
Innes
D J
DJ
Eastham
J R
JR
McClelland
A
A
Hendley
J O
JO
D000234:Adenoids / Q000737:chemistry*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000737:chemistry*; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000032:analysis; D012229:Rhinovirus
D011991:Receptors, Virus; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1