Related Experiment Videos
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity by polymorphonuclear leucocytes in patients with AIDS and AIDS-related
1Division of Basic and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Irvine 92717.
Abstract:
Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) play an important role in host defense against bacterial and certain fungal infections. Furthermore, PMN are effectors in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against a variety of tumor and non-tumor target cells. In this study we examine the PMN-mediated ADCC in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC), using chicken red blood cells (CRBC) in the presence of anti-CRBC antibody as targets. Ten subjects each with AIDS, ARC and healthy controls were evaluated. Among AIDS patients one had Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and 9 had opportunistic infection(s). A significantly decreased (p less than 0.005) ADCC was observed in both patients with AIDS and ARC. Although ADCC tended to be lower in ARC than in AIDS, however the difference between AIDS and ARC was not significant (p greater than 0.5). We suggest that the deficient PMN-mediated ADCC in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection might play a role in increased predisposition to bacterial and certain opportunistic infections and perhaps in the spread of HIV infection.
Insights
Polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN)-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is significantly reduced in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC). This deficiency may contribute to increased susceptibility to infections in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) are crucial for host defense against bacterial and fungal infections.
- PMN are key effectors in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against various target cells, including tumor cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate PMN-mediated ADCC function in patients diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC).
- To assess the potential role of impaired ADCC in the increased susceptibility to infections observed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated PMN-mediated ADCC using chicken red blood cells (CRBC) with anti-CRBC antibody as targets.
- Assessed 10 subjects each with AIDS, 10 with ARC, and 10 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant decrease (p < 0.005) in ADCC was observed in both AIDS and ARC patient groups compared to healthy controls.
- ADCC levels were generally lower in ARC patients than in AIDS patients, but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.5).
Conclusions:
- Deficient PMN-mediated ADCC is a characteristic finding in HIV-infected individuals (AIDS and ARC).
- This impairment in ADCC may contribute to the heightened predisposition to bacterial and opportunistic infections seen in HIV/AIDS.
- Reduced ADCC could potentially influence the progression and spread of HIV infection.