SIV infection induces apoptosis and upregulation of CD54 expression on intestinal epithelial cells (ECs).

<p>(<b>A</b>) Epithelial cells apoptosis was detected in jejunum by multi-labeled immunofluorescent confocal microscopy. Note that increased apoptosis of jejunum ECs was detected during acute (AV85; 21 days post infection) and chronic (HG58; 288 days post infection) SIV infection (as indicated by the white arrows). (<b>B</b>) Mean frequencies (± standard deviation) of surface CD54, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR expression are shown for both jejunum ECs and CD45+ leukocytes from normal (n = 6) and chronically SIV-infected (n = 4) macaques. Note that a significant increase in CD54 expression on jejunum ECs was detected in SIV-infected macaques. However, increased expression of CD54, CD80 and HLA-DR on CD45+ leukocytes was observed in SIV-infected RMs. Statistically significant differences between each group of cells are shown.