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Effects of serum from HIV-infected subjects on the functional activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils
1Laboratorio de Inmunologia, Hospital Rawson, Córdoba, Argentina.
Abstract:
The oxidative capacity of polymorphonuclears neutrophils (PMN) was assessed in 17 subjects with asymptomatic infection (AI), 16 patients with acquired immnunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 12 healthy normal subjects using a quantitative Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test. The effect of the serum of patients on the functional activity of normal and patients' PMN was also investigated. The NBT reduction non stimulated and stimulated with zymosan particles in presence of normal serum was similar to normal controls in both groups of patients. The serum from 11 out of the 17 AI subjects (65%) induced an increase while the serum from 8 out of the 16 AIDS patients (50%) induced a diminution in the stimulated NBT reduction in normal and patients' PMN. Those effects did no, appear to be related to complement C3 and circulating immune complexes levels. These results are indicating that PMN of HIV-seropositive patients do not present an intrinsic disfunction and that the impact of serum factor/s affects the normal functionalism of these cells depending on the infection stages.
Insights
Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) from HIV-seropositive patients show normal function. However, serum factors in asymptomatic infection and AIDS patients can alter PMN activity, impacting immune response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are crucial for innate immunity.
- Assessing PMN oxidative capacity is vital for understanding immune function in HIV infection.
- Previous studies suggest potential PMN dysfunction in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the oxidative capacity of PMN in individuals with asymptomatic HIV infection (AI) and AIDS.
- To investigate the influence of patient serum on the functional activity of normal and patient PMN.
- To determine if PMN dysfunction is intrinsic or serum-mediated in HIV-seropositive individuals.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test was employed.
- PMN oxidative capacity was assessed in unstimulated and zymosan-stimulated conditions.
- The effect of serum from AI and AIDS patients on normal and patient PMN was analyzed.
Main Results:
- PMN oxidative capacity was comparable between AI, AIDS patients, and healthy controls when using normal serum.
- Serum from 65% of AI subjects increased stimulated NBT reduction in PMN.
- Serum from 50% of AIDS patients decreased stimulated NBT reduction in PMN.
- These serum effects were not correlated with complement C3 or immune complex levels.
Conclusions:
- PMN from HIV-seropositive patients do not exhibit intrinsic functional defects.
- Serum factors in AI and AIDS patients can modulate PMN functional activity.
- The stage of HIV infection influences serum-mediated effects on PMN function.