Immunosuppression may be present within condyloma acuminata.
BACKGROUND
Condyloma acuminatum are common lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is associated with many human cancers, and a vaccine now prevents infection with high-risk HPV. However, eradication of established disease is difficult, indicating that these lesions are capable of local immunosuppression.


OBJECTIVE
This study examines the immunohistochemical staining characteristics of condyloma acuminatum lesions for markers of cellular immunity, including T-lymphocyte subsets, dendritic cells, and infected keratinocytes and markers of antigen presentation in condyloma tissue.


METHODS
Five snap-frozen, optimal cutting temperature-embedded condyloma lesions were immunostained for T-lymphocyte markers Fox P3, CD8, CD25 and molecules involved in antigen presentation.


RESULTS
Condylomas demonstrated hallmarks of immunosuppression, such as increased cellular interleukin-10 production, decreased expression of transporter associated with antigen presentation, CD40, and carbonic anhydrase IX, decreased dendritic cell counts, and increased T-regulatory cell infiltration.


CONCLUSIONS
This study was performed with lesions from a single center, and control tissue from the same patients was not available because of lack of patient consent.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that condylomas induce a local immunosuppressive environment, with deficits in antigen presentation and enhancement of immunosuppressive T-regulatory cell populations. Strategies to block this immunosuppression are required to elicit effective immune responses to HPV infection.
Le Poole
Caroline
C
Department of Pathology, Loyola University School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
Denman
Cecele J
CJ
Arbiser
Jack L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D000071231:Carbonic Anhydrase IX; D002256:Carbonic Anhydrases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D054402:Chemokine CCL1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C065971:CCL1 protein, human; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D054402:Chemokine CCL1; C089226:CA9 protein, human; D000071231:Carbonic Anhydrase IX; D002256:Carbonic Anhydrases