Monocytes from systemic lupus erythematous patients are severely altered in phenotype and lineage flexibility.
OBJECTIVE
Cells of the myeloid lineage comprise a very heterogeneous population with many phenotypes and functional activities including macrophages and dendritic cells. To investigate the status, differentiative potential and lineage commitment of monocytic cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, this study isolated and cultured peripheral blood monocytes from patients and healthy donors.


METHODS
Monocytes were isolated by gradient centrifugation and adherence to plastic dishes. The cells were then cultured for three days, partially supplemented with GM-CSF and interleukin 4 (IL4) to obtain dendritic cells. The differentiation status was monitored by the expression of surface markers using flow cytometry and cytokine secretion.


RESULTS
Monocytes from SLE patients expressed significantly lower numbers of the monocytic marker CD14 and HLA-DR while secreting significantly more tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) than monocytes from healthy donors. The addition of GM-CSF and IL4 resulted in an inhibition of TNFalpha secretion, but was not sufficient to generate monocytederived dendritic cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Monocytes from SLE patients are severely altered in phenotype and function and have a limited differentiation flexibility towards the accessory type of monocytic cells.
Steinbach
F
F
Institute of Virology, FU Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str 49, 14 195 Berlin, Germany.
Henke
F
F
Krause
B
B
Thiele
B
B
Burmester
G R
GR
Hiepe
F
F
D000328:Adult; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015847:Interleukin-4; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor