SURFACE EXPRESSION OF INTERCELLULAR-ADHESION MOLECULE-1 ON EPITHELIAL-CELLS IN THE HUMAN ADENOID

Human rhinoviruses enter the host by way of the nose and conjunctiva, Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is the cellular receptor fo r the majority of rhinoviruses. ICAM-1 expression on the luminal surfa ce of epithelial cells in the upper airway may be an important determi nant of virus localization in the airway. Eighteen adenoids and 5 naso pharyngeal biopsies were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for surface expression of ICAM-1. Heavy immunoreactivity of ICAM-1 was found on t he surface of a small number of single nonciliated cells in the lympho epithelium. Squamous epithelial cells showed minimal to no staining, a nd ciliated epithelium had positive ICAM-1 staining of the basal cells but not on the ciliated border. The localization of ICAM-1 expression to specific, limited areas of the surface epithelium of the nasophary nx may have important implications in the pathogenesis of rhinovirus i nfections, especially initiation of the host response to rhinovirus.