Increased soluble CD14 serum levels and altered CD14 expression of peripheral blood monocytes in HIV-infected patients.
Serum levels of soluble CD14 were elevated in HIV-infected asymptomatic patients or those with lymphadenopathy (CDC II/III) 2.9 +/- 0.8 mg/l compared with normal controls with 2.2 +/- 0.47 mg/l, P < 0.001. A further rise was seen in patients with ARC (CDC IVA) 3.8 +/- 1.1 mg/l, P < 0.01 and patients with AIDS (CDC IVB-D) 5.7 +/- 2.5 mg/l, P < 0.01. Although absolute numbers of CD14+ cells decrease in the AIDS group, the percentage of CD14+ monocytes did not change. In contrast, levels of soluble T cell antigens sCD4 and sCD8, which are higher in HIV-infected patients compared with normal subjects, showed no increase with disease progression. Serum levels of sCD14 were correlated positively with beta 2-microglobulin levels (rs = 0.63, P < 0.0001). Whereas the percentage of CD14+ monocytes did not change, an increase in monocytic CD14 expression in HIV-infected patients was observed (P < 0.01). The percentage of a monocyte subset expressing both CD14 and CD16 increased from 6% in normal healthy persons to 13% in HIV-infected patients (P < 0.001), and did not vary between the HIV patient groups. Incubation of cultured peripheral blood monocytes with azidothymidine had no effect on either normal or LPS-induced or IL-4-inhibited sCD14 release in vitro. Therefore, an effect of AZT on sCD14 serum values in vivo is considered to be unlikely. Our data further provide evidence that monocytes/macrophages are engaged in HIV infection.
Nockher
W A
WA
Department of Nephrology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Bergmann
L
L
Scherberich
J E
JE
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000097:blood*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D015847:Interleukin-4; D015215:Zidovudine