Modification of lymphocyte and monocyte functional activity by polymorphonuclear neutrophils in HIV infection.

The aim of this study was to determine whether polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) can modify the immune response in HIV cases. Supernatants of PMN (PMNS) from 33 HIV-infected patients (16 with lymphoadenopathy syndrome, 17 with AIDS-related complex) were tested for their influence on the functional activity of lymphocytes and monocytes from 6 healthy donors. PMNS from another 6 healthy donors comprised a control group. It was found that PMNS from HIV-infected patients, but not from healthy donors, induced suppression of lymphocyte proliferative response and down-regulation of CD8 receptor expression on lymphocytes. Decrease of NK-cell cytotoxicity in the presence of PMNS from HIV-infected patients was the same as that from healthy donors. PMNS did not influence the production of anti-HIV antibody by lymphocytes from HIV-infected patients, as well as non-specific IgG by lymphocytes from healthy donors. PMNS effect on functional activity of lymphocytes was blocked completely after treatment of PMN by catalase and superoxide dismutase. At the same time PMNS from HIV-infected patients but not from healthy donors induced increased production of TNF-alpha by monocytes and up-regulation of monocyte phagocytosis. These effects were independent of catalase and superoxide dismutase and were not abrogated by antibody against IL-1, IL-8, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma or IFN-alpha.