Monocyte expression of adhesion molecules in HIV-infected patients: variations according to disease stage and possible pathogenic role.
We used flow cytometry to study the expression of adhesion molecules at the cell surface and actin polymerization of whole-blood monocytes in 35 HIV-infected patients at different stages of the disease. Monocytes were activated in vivo, as demonstrated by increased expression of the adhesion molecule CD11b/CD18, reduced L-selectin antigen expression, and increased actin polymerization. These abnormalities were present in asymptomatic patients with CD4+ cell counts greater than 500/microl and did not increase with disease progression or viral load. Sialyl-Lewis x and CD31 expression at the monocyte surface was normal in asymptomatic and symptomatic non-AIDS patients. In contrast expression of both molecules was strongly reduced in patients with AIDS. This change, despite normal maximal CD11b/CD18 expression and normal maximal actin polymerization, could contribute to the increased susceptibility to bacterial infections in AIDS. In contrast enhanced monocyte activation may promote their transendothelial migration in non-AIDS patients, possibly explaining the macrophage infiltration that can occur early in the disease.
INSERM U 479 and Service d'Immunologie et d'Hématologie, CHU X, Bichat, Paris, France.
S
S
Pillet
M H
MH
Prevost
A
A
Preira
P M
PM
Girard
N
N
Rogine
J
J
Hakim
M A
MA
Gougerot-Pocidalo
C
C
Elbim
D000199:Actins / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001704:Biopolymers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D019562:Viral Load
D000199:Actins; D001704:Biopolymers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules