Myeloid cells are enriched in tonsillar crypts providing insight into the host tropism of HPV

Viruses are the second leading cause of cancer worldwide, and human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck cancers are increasing in incidence in the United States. HPV preferentially infects the crypts of the tonsils rather than the surface epithelium. The present study sought to characterize the unique microenvironment within the crypts to better understand the host tropism of HPV to a lymphoid rich organ. Laser-capture microdissection of distinct anatomic areas (crypts, surface epithelium, and germinal centers) of the tonsil coupled with transcriptional analysis and multi-parameter immunofluorescence staining was performed and demonstrated that the tonsillar crypts are enriched with myeloid populations which co-express multiple canonical and non-canonical immune checkpoints, including PD-L1, CTLA-4, HAVCR2 (TIM-3), ADORA2A, IDO1, BTLA, LGALS3, CDH1, CEACAM1, PVR, and C10orf54 (VISTA).

Source: American Journal of Pathology - July 22, 2021 Category: Pathology Authors: Austin K. Mattox, Jessica Roelands, Talia M. Saal, Yang Cheng, Darawan Rinchai, Wouter Hendrickx, Geoffrey D. Young, Thomas J. Diefenbach, Alan E. Berger, William H. Westra, Justin A. Bishop, William C. Faquin, Francesco M. Marincola, Mikael J. Pittet, Da Tags: Regular Article Source Type: research