Ultrastructural findings in clinically uninvolved oral mucosa of patients with HIV infection

Vitronectin regulates smooth muscle contractility via alphav and beta1 integrin

Previous work from this laboratory has established a method for maintaining physiological contractility of dissociated avian smooth muscle in a defined medium at low density. The present report emphasizes the dramatic potency of serum to alter smooth muscle phenotype and induce a loss of contractility. Vitronectin, a molecule purified from plasma, mimicked these effects of serum via an integrin that is RGD-sensitive. Studies utilizing blocking antibodies against vitronectin demonstrated that the presence of this specific adhesion molecule was necessary for the serum-induced loss of contractility. Based on the actions of function-blocking antibodies and RGD-containing peptides, the integrin alphavbeta1 appears to be the primary receptor involved in vitronectin's ability to induce phenotypic transformation in amniotic smooth muscle. The influence of vitronectin on smooth muscle contractility is particularly relevant, because this molecule is abundant in whole blood and plasma (approx. 400 microg/ml). The results suggest that smooth muscle needs to be continually protected from normal blood constituents in vivo. The implications of these results for smooth muscle-related diseases like atherosclerosis, restenosis and Kaposi's sarcoma are discussed.

Oral manifestations in a patient with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia

A 56-year-old patient with idiopathic CD4+ lymphocytopenia (ICL) is described. In addition to a complex medical history and clinical course, he presented with oral manifestations including episodic erythematous candidiasis, persistent angular cheilitis, lingua exfoliativa areata, and teleangiectasia of facial skin and buccal mucosa. Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed vascular structures similar to findings in clinically uninvolved oral mucosa of patients with HIV infection. Further observations of patients with ICL are warranted to clarify the significance of oral findings made in the present case.

Oral manifestations of HIV infection and their management. I. More common lesions

Oral lesions are common at all stages of HIV infection. This first of two articles reviews the clinical features and pathogenesis of common oral manifestations of HIV disease (candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, Kaposi's sarcoma, and HIV-related periodontal disease) and considers current treatment measures.