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Impaired monocyte function in liver cirrhosis.
British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.)
|April 18, 1981
Summary
Monocyte function, including phagocytosis and killing of fungi, is impaired in patients with cirrhosis. An inhibitory factor in patient serum affects monocyte function, potentially contributing to chronic liver disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
- Monocyte-macrophage system, including Kupffer's cells, plays a crucial role in clearing portal blood and immune surveillance in the liver.
- Dysfunctional immune cells may contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of chronic liver disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional status of monocytes in patients with liver cirrhosis.
- To identify potential factors in patient serum or on monocyte surfaces that impair monocyte function.
- To explore the metabolic activity of monocytes during phagocytosis in cirrhosis.
Main Methods:
- Assessed monocyte phagocytosis and killing of Candida pseudotropicalis and Candida albicans in patients with cirrhosis versus healthy controls.
- Incubated control monocytes with patient serum to detect inhibitory factors.
- Utilized dialysis to determine the molecular weight of inhibitory factors.
- Treated patient monocytes with trypsin to assess the role of surface-bound factors.
- Measured monocyte metabolic activity via chemoluminescence during phagocytosis.
Main Results:
- Monocyte phagocytosis and killing activity were significantly reduced in cirrhosis patients.
- Patient serum contained an inhibitory factor (<12,000 daltons) that impaired control monocyte killing.
- Trypsin treatment enhanced phagocytosis in patient monocytes, suggesting a surface-bound inhibitor.
- Monocyte metabolic activity (chemiluminescence) during phagocytosis was significantly lower in patients, indicating metabolic impairment.
Conclusions:
- Monocyte dysfunction, characterized by impaired phagocytosis, killing, and metabolism, is evident in liver cirrhosis.
- A low-molecular-weight inhibitory factor present in patient serum and potentially attached to monocyte surfaces contributes to this dysfunction.
- Impaired monocyte-macrophage system function may play a critical role in the development and progression of chronic liver disease.