Open AccessIncreased soluble CD14 serum levels and altered CD14 expression of peripheral blood monocytes in HIV‐infected patients
Author(s) -
NOCKHER W. A.,
BERGMANN L.,
SCHERBERICH J. E.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1994.tb05499.x
Subject(s) - cd14 , cd16 , asymptomatic , monocyte , immunology , medicine , in vivo , aids related complex , in vitro , biology , antigen , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , viral disease , immune system , cd8 , cd3 , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology
SUMMARY Serum levels of soluble CD14 were elevated in HIV‐infected asymptomatic patients or those with lymphadenopathy (CDC II/III) 2·9 ± 0·8mg/l compared with normal controls with 2·2 ± 0·47 mg/l P < 0·001. A further rise was seen in patients with ARC (CDCIVA) 3·8±1·1 mg/l, P < 0.01 and patients with AIDS (CDC IVB D) 5·7 ±2·5 mg/l. P < 001. Although absolute numbers of CD14 + cells decrease in the AIDS group, the percentage of CD 14 + 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 β 2 ‐microglobulin levels (r s = 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 EPS‐induced or IE‐4‐inhibited sCDI4 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.