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Polymorphonuclear leukocyte oxidative burst is enhanced in patients with chronic renal insufficiency

R A Ward1, K R McLeish

  • 1Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY 40292, USA.

Insights

Chronic renal insufficiency enhances polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) receptor-mediated oxidative burst, contrary to previous reports. PMN in these patients appear primed, as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) cannot further boost their response.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nephrology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Previous studies suggested impaired polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function in hemodialysis patients.
  • It remained unclear whether impaired function was due to dialysis or underlying uremia/chronic renal insufficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of chronic renal insufficiency on PMN function, specifically phagocytosis and oxidative burst.
  • To determine if tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) can prime PMN from patients with chronic renal insufficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Measured phagocytosis and oxidative burst (H2O2 and O2- release) in PMN from patients with varying chronic renal insufficiency and normal subjects.
  • Assessed the ability of TNF-alpha to prime the oxidative burst stimulated by Staphylococcus aureus and formyl-Met-Leu-Phe.
  • Correlated oxidative burst enhancement with creatinine clearance levels.

Main Results:

  • Phagocytosis and basal oxidative burst of PMN were similar between normal subjects and patients.
  • Receptor-mediated oxidative burst stimulated by S. aureus and formyl-Met-Leu-Phe was enhanced in PMN from patients with chronic renal insufficiency.
  • TNF-alpha failed to enhance S. aureus-induced oxidative burst in patient PMN, suggesting a primed state.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic renal insufficiency does not impair PMN phagocytosis or oxidative burst.
  • Chronic renal insufficiency enhances the receptor-mediated oxidative burst of PMN.
  • PMN from patients with chronic renal insufficiency are likely in a primed state, unable to be further stimulated by TNF-alpha.

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