PLUNC protein expression in major salivary glands of HIV-infected patients.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse and compare the expression of Palate, Lung, and Nasal Epithelium Clone (PLUNC) proteins in salivary glands from patients with and without AIDS (control group) using autopsy material.


METHODS
We analysed the expression of PLUNCs using immunohistochemistry in parotid (n = 45), submandibular (n = 47) and sublingual gland (n = 37) samples of AIDS patients [30 with normal histology, 21 with mycobacteriosis, 14 with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, 30 with chronic non-specific sialadenitis, and 30 HIV-negative controls. In situ hybridization (ISH) for SPLUNC 2 in the HIV-negative group was performed.


RESULTS
SPLUNC 1 expression was detected in the mucous acini of submandibular and sublingual glands, and SPLUNC 2 were seen in the serous cells. LPLUNC 1 expression was only positive in the salivary ducts. There was a higher expression of SPLUNC 2 in AIDS patients with CMV infection and mycobacteriosis when compared with all other groups. The intensity of staining for SPLUNC 2 was greater around the lesions than the peripheral ones. ISH for SPLUNC 2 showed perinuclear positivity in the serous cells in all HIV-negative cases.


CONCLUSIONS
SPLUNC 1 and LPLUNC 1 proteins were similarly expressed in the salivary glands of AIDS patients and non-HIV patients. CMV infection and mycobacteriosis increase SPLUNC 2 expression in serous cells in the salivary gland of AIDS patients.
da Silva
A A
AA
Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, UNICAMP, Piracicaba, Sao Paulo State, Brazil.
Bingle
L
L
Speight
P M
PM
Bingle
C D
CD
Mauad
T
T
da Silva
L F F
LF
Vargas
P A
PA
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000473:pathology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000473:pathology; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000473:pathology; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000473:pathology*; D012704:Serous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000473:pathology; D013361:Sublingual Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D014393:Tuberculosis, Oral / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
C485599:BPIFA1 protein, human; D006023:Glycoproteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins