Modulation of the endotoxin receptor (CD14) in septic patients

The monocyte is a pivotal cell in septic patients that responds to endotoxin with release of inflammatory cytokines. Monocytes display on their surface a receptor (CD14) for complexes formed by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and a plasma LPS-binding protein (LBP). We compared monocytes obtained from normal controls with those obtained from septic patients for expression of CD14 by flow cytometric analysis of immunofluorescent-stained cells. In normal individuals and patients, 75%-95% of monocytes are CD14 positive (CD14+). Mean fluorescence exhibited by the CD14+ population was measured after maintaining cells at 37 degrees C for 15 minutes and compared with baseline cells held at 4 degrees C (mean fluorescence ratio). All cells increased their CD14 mean fluorescence ratio with warming; however, the level achieved by monocytes obtained from septic patients was on average 78% +/- 8% of control levels (p = 0.014). To further clarify CD14 expression, we examined the effect of Escherichia coli LPS on normal monocytes by comparing monocytes treated in serum-free buffer (no LBP) with monocytes treated in whole blood (containing LBP). The LPS (1.0 ng/mL) incubated with whole blood for 120 minutes generated an increase in CD14+ mean fluorescence compared with buffer. In contrast, phorbol myristate acetate lowered CD14+ mean fluorescence levels. These data indicate that normal monocytes incubated in the presence of ligand (LBP-LPS complexes) increase their expression of CD14, whereas CD14 expression in septic patients is diminished. We conclude that monocytes from septic patients were responsive to other stimuli aside from LPS and that decreased expression of CD14 may indicate a poor prognosis.