CD1a+ and CD83+ Langerhans cells are reduced in lower lip squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a potentially malignant lesion diagnosed in the lip of patients chronically exposed to the sun that may give rise to a fully invasive lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC). It is known that ultraviolet radiation causes dendritic cells (DCs) depletion in the epidermis, but the role of this cellular population in lip cancer progression remains uncertain. Therefore, this study investigated the distribution of DCs in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic tissues of the lower lip. METHODS: Thirteen cases of lower lip mucocele, 42 of ACs and 21 of LLSCC were retrieved and original diagnoses confirmed by two oral pathologists, who further classified ACs as low- and high-risk lesions. Immunoreactions against CD1a and CD83 identified immature and mature DCs, respectively. RESULTS: Immature CD1a+ Langerhans cells (LCs) were significantly decreased in LLSCC when compared to morphologically normal (P < 0.009) and dysplastic epitheliums (P < 0.003), whereas mature CD83+ LCs were significantly decreased in LLSCC when compared to normal epithelium (P = 0.038). There was no significant difference between low- and high-risk ACs regarding CD1a+ and CD83+ LCs (P > 0.05), but ACs demonstrated a lower concentration of CD1a+ LCs than normal epithelium (P < 0.009). There was no significant difference in the distribution of CD1a+ and CD83+ interstitial dendritic cells (IDCs) in the connective tissue among the studied groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that depletion of epithelial LCs, but not IDCs in the connective tissue, would represent an important step for lip cancer development.

A frontal mucocele caused by an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a patient with HIV infection.

We describe a 55-year-old bisexual Belgian man with a multi-drug resistant HIV infection who developed an Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS) presenting as a mucocele of the frontal sinus, one year after starting a new effective darunavir containing antiretroviral treatment regimen. His CD4+ lymphocyte count had increased from 3 cells/mm3 prior to the start of the latter treatment to 196 cells/mm3 just before he developed the IRIS phenomenon. IRIS is a paradoxical clinical deterioration during highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), due to an exaggerated immune-inflammatory reaction. With the increasing numbers of persons living with HIV infection and the increased use of HAART it is expected that in the future more otolaryngological manifestations of IRIS will be detected.

Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in paranasal sinus mucocele.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the immunologic aspects and the pathogenesis of the paranasal sinus mucocele. METHODS: The fluids of paranasal sinus mucoceles were obtained from 12 subjects. The concentration of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), interleukin 1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the levels of endotoxin were detected with kinetic Turbidimetric Assay. RESULTS: MIF and endotoxin were detected in the fluid of all samples, whereas interleukin-1beta and RANTES were detected in 1 and 3 subjects out of 12 samples. Tumor necrosis factor alpha was not detected in any of the samples. A significant positive correlation between the levels of MIF and the period with symptoms such as pain, swelling of face, and visual disturbance was observed. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that MIF and endotoxin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of paranasal sinus mucocele. MIF may be an important factor causing the development and exacerbation of the disease.