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Phagocytic capacity of human leukocytes preincubated with Imuran and prednisone
Abstract:
The phagocytic and microbicidal activities of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) were tested after a short-term preincubation of phagocytic cells with Imuran or Prednisone, using C. albicans strains as a test organism. The tests showed that both immunosuppressive agents reduced significantly the microbicidal activity of PMNL cells by 35-40%. Detectable differences in the phagocytic activity and phagocytic index values were not statistically significant. The decreased ability of PMNLs to kill ingested C. albicans strains appears thus to sensitively reflect the altered PMNL function and can be utilized in the biologic monitoring of immunosuppression. The reduced microbicidal potential of phagocytic cells may be also one of the causes of recurrent microbial infections that are so frequent in immunosuppressant-treated patients.
Insights
Imuran and Prednisone significantly reduced the ability of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) to kill Candida albicans. This impaired microbicidal activity may explain infections in patients on immunosuppressants.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Immunosuppressive drugs like Imuran and Prednisone are crucial for managing autoimmune diseases and preventing organ transplant rejection.
- Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) are key immune cells responsible for phagocytosis and killing of microbial pathogens.
- Patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are often susceptible to recurrent infections, but the underlying cellular mechanisms require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of short-term Imuran and Prednisone exposure on the phagocytic and microbicidal functions of human PMNLs.
- To determine if impaired PMNL microbicidal activity correlates with immunosuppressive drug treatment.
- To assess the potential of PMNL microbicidal activity as a biomarker for monitoring immunosuppression.
Main Methods:
- Human PMNLs were preincubated with Imuran or Prednisone.
- The phagocytic activity and phagocytic index of PMNLs were assessed using Candida albicans strains.
- The microbicidal activity of PMNLs against ingested C. albicans was quantified.
Main Results:
- Both Imuran and Prednisone significantly reduced the microbicidal activity of PMNLs by 35-40%.
- No statistically significant differences were observed in phagocytic activity or phagocytic index values.
- Decreased PMNL microbicidal capacity was a sensitive indicator of altered PMNL function.
Conclusions:
- Short-term exposure to Imuran and Prednisone impairs the microbicidal function of human PMNLs.
- The reduced ability of PMNLs to kill C. albicans reflects altered immune cell function and can serve as a biologic marker for immunosuppression.
- Impaired PMNL microbicidal potential may contribute to the increased susceptibility to infections in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy.