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Accelerated neutrophil apoptosis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

D L Pitrak1, H C Tsai, K M Mullane

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, West Side VA Medical Center, 60612, USA.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|December 15, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Neutrophils from AIDS patients undergo accelerated apoptosis, contributing to impaired immune function. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) may offer clinical benefit by reducing this premature cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Virology

Background:

  • HIV infection leads to neutrophil (PMNL) dysfunction.
  • Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients exhibit impaired PMNL function, potentially linked to accelerated apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether accelerated apoptosis contributes to impaired PMNL function in patients with AIDS.
  • To assess PMNL apoptosis rates in HIV-infected individuals with low CD4+ counts.

Main Methods:

  • Isolated PMNL from 10 AIDS patients and 7 healthy volunteers.
  • Utilized fluorescent microscopy, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and DNA gel electrophoresis to assess apoptosis and viability.
  • Incubated PMNL with patient/control serum and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in vitro.

Main Results:

  • PMNL from AIDS patients showed significantly higher apoptosis rates at 3, 6, and 18 hours compared to controls.
  • PMNL viability decreased significantly in the HIV group by 18 hours due to increased non-viable apoptotic cells.
  • In vitro G-CSF incubation significantly reduced PMNL apoptosis in AIDS patients.

Conclusions:

  • PMNL from AIDS patients exhibit markedly accelerated apoptosis ex vivo.
  • Accelerated apoptosis and PMNL dysfunction in vivo may increase the risk of secondary infections.
  • Cytokine therapy, such as G-CSF, may hold potential clinical benefits for managing PMNL apoptosis in AIDS patients.

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