Changes in proliferation and activation of immunocytes in gastric mucosa after HIV infection

Objective To investigate the relationship of the proliferation and activation of immunocytes in gastric mucosa with the disease progression in HIV-infected individuals.Methods Thirty-six HIV-infected individuals,and 10 persons without HIV infection serving as control,were enrolled in present study,and biopsy of gastric mucosal tissues was performed by fiberoptic gastroscopy.Immunohistochemistry(SP) was used to detect the expressions of CD38 and Ki-67 in gastric mucosa.Masson stain was used to observe collagen deposition in gastric mucosa.Results Compared with the non-infected controls,the expression of CD38 remarkably increased in HIV-infected individuals(97.384±11.573 vs 86.215±12.396,P < 0.01),but there was no difference between asymptomatic HIV carriers and AIDS patients(82.954±10.725,79.982±12.443,P > 0.05).In HIV-infected individuals,Ki-67 positive cells were mainly located in gastric foveola,lamina propria gland and stroma.As compared with the non-infected controls,Ki-67 positive immunocytes were remarkably decreased in stroma(20.933±2.719 vs 29.091±21.949,P < 0.01),but there was also no significant difference between asymptomatic HIV carriers and AIDS patients(27.985±4.650,29.328±7.343,P > 0.05).The Ki-67 positive cells were mostly lymphocytes in the lymphoid follicle of gastric mucosa in asymptomatic HIV carriers,while connective tissue cells such as fibroblasts were predominant in AIDS patients.There was more abundant collagen deposition in stroma and lymphatic follicles in AIDS patients than in asymptomatic HIV carriers.In AIDS patients,the follicle fibrous septum was found to be increased and widened in some region.Conclusion After HIV infection,the disequilibrium of activation and proliferation of immunocytes,as well as collagen deposition in mucosa,are probably the main pathogenetic factors of AIDS.