title: CD14++ monocytes, CD14+/CD16+ subset and soluble CD14 as biological markers of inflammatory systemic diseases and monitoring immunosuppressive therapy.
abstract: The majority of peripheral blood monocytes strongly positive for the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-receptor CD14 are negative for Fcgamma receptor type III (CD16). However, a subset of monocytes coexpressing CD14 and CD16 accounts for about 8% of all monocytes. This population exhibits features of tissue macrophages, and is largely expanded (> 20%) during acute and chronic inflammatory diseases including cases with pararheumatic systemic vasculitis. In addition, compared to normal controls, soluble CD14 (sCD14) is elevated (> 3 microg/ml) in serum specimens of these patients. CD14+/CD16+ monocytes show a higher phagocytosis rate than CD14+/CD16 negative cells, and express higher levels of interleukin-1 and major histocompatibility complex, such as histocompatibility antigens HLA-DR, -DP and -DQ antigens. Glucocorticoids downregulate expression of CD14 and rapidly deplete CD14+/CD16+ monocytes from peripheral blood. Patients under chronic immunosuppressive therapy exhibit low CD14/+/CD16+ rates, which may rise during infectious and non-infectious inflammatory complications, however. Thus, serial analyses for sCD14 and the proinflammatory CD14+/CD16+ subset of monocytes suggest a valuable tool monitoring patients under immunosuppressive and/or antiinflammatory therapy.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Medical Department, Hospital München-Harlaching, München, Germany. JScherberich@Nierenzentrum.de
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Scherberich
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Nockher
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D017452:Receptors, IgG