Expression patterns of the lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14, and the FCgamma receptors CD16 and CD64 on polymorphonuclear neutrophils: data from patients with severe bacterial infections and lipopolysaccharide-exposed cells

Neutrophils in development of multiple organ failure in sepsis

Multiple organ failure is a major threat to the survival of patients with sepsis and systemic inflammation. In the UK and in the USA, mortality rates are currently comparable with and projected to exceed those from myocardial infarction. The immune system combats microbial infections but, in severe sepsis, its untoward activity seems to contribute to organ dysfunction. In this Review we propose that an inappropriate activation and positioning of neutrophils within the microvasculature contributes to the pathological manifestations of multiple organ failure. We further suggest that targeting neutrophils and their interactions with blood vessel walls could be a worthwhile therapeutic strategy for sepsis.

Neutrophil CD64 is an improved indicator of infection or sepsis in emergency department patients

CONTEXT

Sepsis, affecting millions of individuals annually with an associated high mortality rate, is among the top 10 causes of death. In addition, improvements in diagnostic tests for detecting and monitoring sepsis and infection have been limited in the last 25 years. Neutrophil CD64 expression has been proposed as an improved diagnostic test for the evaluation of infection and sepsis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a quantitative flow cytometric assay for leukocyte CD64 expression in comparison with the standard tests for infection/sepsis in an ambulatory care setting.

DESIGN

Prospective analysis of 100 blood samples from patients from an emergency department setting in a 965-bed tertiary care suburban community hospital was performed for neutrophil CD64 expression, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and complete blood count. The laboratory findings were compared with a clinical score for the likelihood of infection/sepsis, which was obtained by a blinded retrospective chart review.

RESULTS

The diagnostic performance, as gauged by the clinical score, varied with neutrophil CD64 (sensitivity 87.9%, specificity 71.2%, efficiency 76.8%) and outperformed C-reactive protein (sensitivity 88.2%, specificity 59.4%, efficiency 69.4%), absolute neutrophil count (sensitivity 60.0%, specificity 50.8%, efficiency 53.8%), myeloid left shift (sensitivity 68.2%, specificity 76.3%, efficiency 73.3%), and sedimentation rate (sensitivity 50.0%, specificity 65.5%, efficiency 61.0%).

CONCLUSION

Neutrophil CD64 expression quantitation provides improved diagnostic detection of infection/sepsis compared with the standard diagnostic tests used in current medical practice.

R-form LPS, the master key to the activation ofTLR4/MD-2-positive cells

Lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin, LPS) is a major recognition marker for the detection of gram-negative bacteria by the host and a powerful initiator of the inflammatory response to infection. Using S- and R-form LPS from wild-type and R-mutants of Salmonella and E. coli, we show that R-form LPS readily activates mouse cells expressing the signaling receptor Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation protein 2 (TLR4/MD-2), while the S-form requires further the help of the LPS-binding proteins CD14 and LBP, which limits its activating capacity. Therefore, the R-form LPS under physiological conditions recruits a larger spectrum of cells in endotoxic reactions than S-form LPS. We also show that soluble CD14 at high concentrations enables CD14-negative cells to respond to S-form LPS. The presented in vitro data are corroborated by an in vivo study measuring TNF-alpha levels in response to injection of R- and S-form LPS in mice. Since the R-form LPS constitutes ubiquitously part of the total LPS present in all wild-type bacteria its contribution to the innate immune response and pathophysiology of infection is much higher than anticipated during the last half century.

Simultaneous determination of membrane CD64 and HLA-DR expression by blood neutrophils and monocytes using the monoclonal antibody fluorescence capability of a routine haematology analyser

This study reports the design of an immunofluorescent method for the co-determination of neutrophil CD64 (PMN-CD64), monocyte CD64 (MON-CD64) and monocyte HLA-DR (MON-Ia) expression with the Cell-Dyn CD4,000 haematology analyser. Normal PMN-CD64, MON-CD64 and MON-Ia expression, defined as the mean+/-2SD of 25 healthy adults after correction for isotype control staining, corresponded to 17-67, 515-1045 and 170-670 AFU respectively. Analytical reproducibility determined by duplicate analysis of 12 random samples revealed good assay consistency for all three analysed antigens, with day to day variation in normal subjects being relatively minor in significance. CD4,000 PMN-CD64 and HLA-DR values showed good inter-method correlation with flow cytometry although short term (12 h) stability studies suggested an in vitro trend for increasing PMN-CD64 and variable HLA-DR antigen expression with progressive storage. Observed ranges of PMN-CD64, MON-CD64 and MON-Ia for 109 randomly-selected clinical samples were 31-1058, 307-2843 and 10-876 AFU. Abnormal PMN-CD64 and MON-CD64 shared the same trend (upregulation) while abnormal monocyte MON-Ia was characterised by declining expression. Normal PMN-CD64 was only seen with normal (45/52) or intermediate (7/52) MON-CD64, while high PMN-CD64 was mostly associated with intermediate (18/22) or high (3/22) MON-CD64. MON-Ia expression was largely independent (p=0.04) of PMN-CD64 although marked decreases in MON-Ia were invariably associated with intermediate or high PMN-CD64. MON-Ia expression was inversely related (p<0.0001) to absolute granulocyte counts, and patients with high PMN-CD64 were more likely (8/25) to have in excess of 10% Band Cells compared to samples with normal/intermediate PMN-CD64 (0/84). When compared to C-reactive protein (CRP), high PMN-CD64 and MON-CD64 were always associated with an increased CRP concentration, but minor proportions of samples with normal PMN-CD64 (11/52) or normal MON-CD64 (11/65) could also have an increased CRP. The procedures described in this communication overcome a number of limitations associated with flow cytometry, and co-determination of CD64 and HLA-DR antigen expression may provide complimentary insights into patient heterogeneity in the assessment of suspected sepsis compared to CD64 analysis alone.

Cellular inflammatory response to persistent localized Staphylococcus aureus infection: phenotypical and functional characterization of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN)

Persistent, localized Staphylococcus aureus infections, refractory to antibiotic treatment, can result in massive tissue destruction and surgical intervention is often the only therapeutic option. In that context, we investigated patients with S. aureus-induced infection at various sites, apparent as either olecranon bursitis, empyema of the knee joint or soft tissue abscess formation. As expected, a prominent leucocyte infiltrate was found, consisting predominantly of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) (up to 75%) and to a lesser extent of T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. In line with their bactericidal capacity, PMN expressed the high-affinity receptor for IgG, CD64 and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor CD14; moreover, the oxygen radical production in response to the bacterial peptide f-MLP was enhanced, while chemotactic activity was greatly reduced. The more intriguing finding, however, was that a portion of PMN had acquired major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens and CD83, indicative of a transdifferentiation of PMN to cells with dendritic-like characteristics. Of note is that a similar transdifferentiation can be induced in PMN in vitro, e.g. by gamma interferon or by tumour necrosis factor alpha. Co-cultivation of transdifferentiated PMN with autologous T lymphocytes resulted in prominent T cell proliferation, provided that S. aureus enterotoxin A was added. Taken together, persistent S. aureus infection induces PMN to acquire characteristics of dendritic cells, which in turn might promote the local immune response.

Circulating CD10-/CD16low neutrophils provide a quantitative index of active bone marrow neutrophil release

Circulating neutrophil phenotype and function are altered during neutrophilia associated with acute inflammatory states, however, the contribution of bone marrow neutrophil release to these changes has been difficult to quantify in humans. Accelerated release of neutrophils, with potentially distinct attributes, from the bone marrow and their dilution within the circulating pool may produce these apparent changes. Unfortunately selective analysis of these newly emergent neutrophils is difficult given their morphologic similarity to those already in the circulation and the coincident effect of soluble inflammatory mediators on circulating neutrophil phenotype and function. Using whole blood flow cytometry and cardiac surgery as an inflammatory stimulus, we demonstrate the emergence of a unique subpopulation of circulating neutrophils characterised as CD10(-)/CD16(low), indicative of active bone marrow neutrophil release peri-operatively. CD10(-)/CD16(low) neutrophils emerge at the same operative stages as band forms and a left shift, yet represent over 40% of circulating neutrophils postoperatively, and generate a greater stimulus-induced [Ca(2+)](i) flux than their CD10(+) counterparts. We conclude that CD10(-)/CD16(low) neutrophils represent a significant proportion of the circulating pool after cardiac surgery and that bone marrow release, a major contributor to neutrophilia, influences the phenotype and functional activity of circulating neutrophils following this acute inflammatory stimulus.

Identification of a phenotypically and functionally distinct population of long-lived neutrophils in a model of reverse endothelial migration

Recent studies have demonstrated that neutrophils are not a homogenous population of cells. Here, we have identified a subset of human neutrophils with a distinct profile of cell-surface receptors [CD54(high), CXC chemokine receptor 1(low) (CXCR1(low))], which represent cells that have migrated through an endothelial monolayer and then re-emerged by reverse transmigration (RT). RT neutrophils, when in contact with endothelium, were rescued from apoptosis, demonstrate functional priming, and were rheologically distinct from neutrophils that had not undergone transendothelial migration. In vivo, 1-2% of peripheral blood neutrophils in patients with systemic inflammation exhibit a RT phenotype. A smaller population existed in healthy donors ( approximately 0.25%). RT neutrophils were distinct from naïve circulatory neutrophils (CD54(low), CXCR1(high)) and naïve cells after activation with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (CD54(low), CXCR1(low)). It is important that the RT phenotype (CD54(high), CXCR1(low)) is also distinct from tissue-resident neutrophils (CD54(low), CXCR1(low)). Our results demonstrate that neutrophils can migrate in a retrograde direction across endothelial cells and suggest that a population of tissue-experienced neutrophils with a distinct phenotype and function are present in the peripheral circulation in humans in vivo.

Hyperglycemia in the intensive care unit: no longer just a marker of illness severity

BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia is a common occurrence in critically ill patients. Recent evidence has demonstrated improved survival in patients in surgical intensive care units (SICUs) receiving "tight glycemic control." The mechanisms of this survival advantage are not well understood.

METHODS

A review of the English language literature pertaining to potential mechanisms affecting outcome in critically ill patients receiving insulin therapy, including recently published human trials evaluating mortality outcomes.

RESULTS

This review discusses the results of clinical trials of "tight glycemic control," considers mechanisms of hyperglycemia in critical illness, and reviews potential mechanisms of improved outcome related in the critically ill patient.

CONCLUSIONS

A number of human studies have demonstrated improved outcomes in critically ill patient populations receiving insulin therapy with a target of euglycemia, suggesting at least part of the benefit of this therapy is normal blood sugar and not the effects of insulin. An important population not studied to date is patients in the medical ICU. However, aggressive control of hyperglycemia now remains an important component of care for all surgical patients in the ICU.

Comparison of neutrophil CD64 expression, manual myeloid immaturity counts, and automated hematology analyzer flags as indicators of infection or sepsis

There is a clear need for improved indicators of infection or sepsis to increase the sensitivity and specificity of both diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. One of the effects of inflammatory cytokines on the innate immune response is the rapid up-regulation of CD64 expression on the neutrophil membrane. We and others have hypothesized that the measurement of neutrophil CD64 expression might represent an improved diagnostic indicator of infection and sepsis. In this study we assessed the relative ability of flow cytometric neutrophil CD64 measurements, neutrophil counts, myeloid immaturity differential counts, and flagging on an automated hematology analyzer to correlate with the presence of infection, as determined by a retrospective clinical scoring system of infection or sepsis. A total of 160 blood samples were randomly selected to derive equal proportions of the 3 categories of flags on a Coulter STKS blood counter that indicate the presence of a myeloid left shift. The patients for these samples were scored by retrospective chart review and placed into 4 groups on the basis of likelihood of infection, sepsis, or severe tissue injury. Neutrophil CD64 expression demonstrated a superior sensitivity (94.1%), specificity (84.9%), and positive predictive likelihood ratio (6.24), compared with neutrophil counts (sensitivity, 79.4%; specificity, 46.8%; positive predictive likelihood ratio, 1.49), band counts (sensitivity, 87.5%; specificity, 43.5%; positive predictive likelihood ratio, 1.55), myeloid immaturity fraction (sensitivity, 94.6%; specificity, 84.5%; positive predictive likelihood ratio, 2.12), and flagging on an automated hematology analyzer (sensitivity, 94.1%; specificity, 40.5%; positive predictive likelihood ratio, 1.58). Relative to the other laboratory parameters, the neutrophil CD64 parameter also provided the best separation of the 4 clinical groups. The findings indicate that neutrophil CD64 expression as determined by quantitative flow cytometry is an improved diagnostic indicator of infection/sepsis relative to current laboratory indicators of relative or absolute myeloid cell counts or hematology analyzer flagging algorithms.

Transdifferentiation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils to dendritic-like cells at the site of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: evidence for activation by T cells

OBJECTIVES

To investigate infiltrated cells in the synovial fluid (SF) of inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with special reference to polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and their interaction with T cells.

METHODS

Expression on PMN of activation associated receptors CD14, CD64, CD83, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II was examined in the SF of 15 patients with RA, as were the infiltrated T cells. SF cytokines were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To mimic the in vivo situation, co-culture experiments were carried out using PMN and T cells of healthy donors.

RESULTS

The SF contained activated T lymphocytes and abundant PMN. SF PMN expression of CD14 and CD64 was enhanced compared with peripheral blood. Of special interest was the observation that only the SF PMN expressed MHC class II antigens and CD83. Exposure to SF, which contained considerable amounts of cytokines (for example, interferon gamma (IFNgamma), tumour necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 2), induced a similar receptor pattern on blood derived PMN of healthy donors. Furthermore, PMN acquired MHC class II and CD83 within 24 to 48 hours, when co-cultured with autologous T cells or T cell lines. This effect was also achieved by T cell supernatants, was dependent on protein synthesis, and could be inhibited by antibodies against IFNgamma.

CONCLUSIONS

SF PMN from patients with RA undergo major alterations, including transdifferentiation to cells with dendritic-like characteristics, probably induced by T cell derived cytokines. Because MHC class II positive PMN are known to activate T cells, the mutual activation of PMN and T cells might contribute to the perpetuation of the local inflammatory process, and eventually to the destructive process in RA.

Impact of preanalytical variables on granulocytic surface antigen expression: a review

BACKGROUND

There is a gradual but steady increase in the use of granulocytic surface marker studies to diagnose several inherited and acquired blood and bone marrow disorders. Diagnosis and follow-up of patients with inflammation and infection are other areas of quantitative flow cytometric application. Despite the increased use of flow cytometry to study granulocytes, there seems to be no well-established standards regarding specimen handling for these studies.

METHODS

This review summarizes the effect of preanalytical variables on granulocytic surface markers.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Storing specimens in sodium heparin at room temperature for up to 72 h seems satisfactory. Other anticoagulants, although acceptable, may have a shorter storage time. Storage time could be prolonged further with the use of some preservation media. Lysed whole blood is the preferred technique. Techniques should avoid major temperature change and excessive manipulation and should maintain storage and methodologic temperature with minimal fluctuation. Fixation before staining with the antibody may result in decreased expression of some surface antigens.

Improved diagnostic approaches to infection/sepsis detection

Sepsis is a major healthcare problem from the perspective of mortality and economics. Advances in diagnostic detection of infection and sepsis have been slow, but recent advances in both soluble biomarker detection and quantitative cellular measurements promise the availability of improved diagnostic techniques. Though the promise of cytokine measurements reaching clinical practice have not matured, procalcitonin levels are currently available in many countries and appear to offer enhanced diagnostic distinction between bacterial and viral etiologies. Cellular diagnostics is poised to enter clinical laboratory practice in the form of neutrophil CD64 measurements, which offer superior sensitivity and specificity to conventional laboratory assessment of sepsis. Neutrophil CD64 expression is negligible in the healthy state. However, it increases as part of the systemic response to severe infection or sepsis. The combination of cellular proteomics, as in the case of neutrophil CD64 quantification, and selected soluble biomarkers of the inflammatory response, such as procalcitonin or triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-1, is predicted to remove the current subjectivity and uncertainty in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of infection and sepsis.

Differences in the expression of LPS-receptors are not responsible for the sex-specific immune response after trauma and hemorrhagic shock

Several studies demonstrated a sex-specific cytokine secretion by macrophages following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) and incubation with lipopolysaccharide A (LPS). Although LPS is known to act via the receptors CD14 and TLR4 on macrophages, it remains unknown whether differences in LPS receptor expression in males and females may be responsible for the gender-specific LPS induced cytokine response following (T-H). To study this, male and proestrus female mice (C3H/HeN) were subjected to trauma (laparotomy) followed by hemorrhage or sham operation. At 2 h thereafter, SMphi and PMphi were harvested and cultured for 2 h. The expression of CD14 and TLR4 was measured by flow cytometry on unstimulated SMphi and PMphi as well as after LPS stimulation. The results indicate that the expression of CD14 and TLR4 on SMphi and PMphi from female and male mice was similar in sham-operated animals and after (T-H). Incubation of macrophages with LPS did not alter CD14 and TLR4 expression in the study groups. Thus, the sex specific LPS induced cytokine secretion after (T-H) is not caused by differences in LPS receptor expression on Mphi of male and female mice.

Differential Expression of the C5a Receptor and Complement Receptors 1 and 3 after LPS Stimulation of Neutrophils and Monocytes

Animal experiments recently suggested that administration of anti-C5a, anti-C5a receptor or soluble complement receptor type-1 may be of value in the treatment of septic shock. Because results regarding C5a receptor expression (C5a-R, CD-88) have been found to differ between septic animals and patients, the aim of this study was to investigate the neutrophil and monocyte receptor expression of CD-88 and complement receptor-1 (CR-1, CD-35) after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ex vivo. Whole blood or isolated neutrophils and monocytes from healthy people were incubated with LPS in a dose range of 0.1-1000 ng/ml. The expressions of CD-88 and CD-35 were analysed by means of flow cytometry. For comparison, the expressions of complement receptor-3 (CR-3, CD-11b/CD-18), Fc-gamma receptor type-I (CD-64) and CEACAM-8 (CD-66b) were also investigated. In whole blood, CD-88 expression on neutrophils was reduced (P < 0.05). The expressions of CD-35 and CD-11b were increased both on neutrophils (P < 0.001; P < 0.05) and on monocytes (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). No effect was observed on isolated cells. In agreement with the findings in septic patients, LPS reduced the neutrophil C5a-R expression, whereas the expressions of CR-1 and CR-3 were increased. The effects of LPS were indirect and were mediated via factors in the blood. The clinical significance of this is not known, but may be associated with decreased chemotaxis.

Comparative study of monocyte enumeration by flow cytometry: improved detection by combining monocyte-related antibodies with anti-CD163

Monocyte-counting performance by hematological cell counters often lacks satisfactory accuracy and precision. Flow cytometry, the alternative, is a reliable reference method for monocyte enumeration in evaluation of the performance of automated analyzers. The present study was focused on evaluation and optimization of monocyte enumeration by flow cytometry. Fifty blood samples were stained with same-color CD163, CD64, and CD14 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), single or in mixtures, along with different colors of anti-CD45 and anti-CD16. The percentage positive monocytes and their median fluorescence intensity (MFI) were compared between the resulting MoAb combinations. CD163(+)14 increased monocyte detection by 5% compared with CD14 alone. The CD64(+)CD163 mixture resulted in a 6% detection increase relative to CD64 alone. CD64(+)CD14 labeled 2% more monocytes than CD14 and 0.03% more compared with CD64. Combining CD14 with CD163 or CD64 increased MFI 24% and 14% relative to CD14. CD163(+)CD64 increased monocyte MFI 115% compared with CD64. We found that combining same-color antibodies improved monocyte detection, especially when anti-CD163 was added to CD64 or CD14 antibodies. The use of CD163 antibody is the recommended flow cytometric reference method for monocyte counting.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils in posttraumatic osteomyelitis: cells recovered from the inflamed site lack chemotactic activity but generate superoxides

The pathogenesis of posttraumatic osteomyelitis, one of the major complications after orthopedic surgery, is not yet understood. Formation of bacterial biofilms on the implant is presumed, conferring resistance to antibiotic therapy and probably also to the host defense mechanisms. In that context, the polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) having infiltrated the infected site were recovered and characterized phenotypically and functionally. Loss of CD62L and upregulation of CD14 were seen, as was expression of CD83. Expression of the latter is dependent on de novo protein synthesis and thus is indicative of an extended life span and a transdifferentiation of the PMN at the infected site. The infiltrated PMN had lost their chemotactic activity, whereas the capacity to produce superoxides was preserved and in some patients even enhanced. In vitro experiments done in parallel showed that long-term culture with interferon-gamma resulted in similar alterations of PMN: loss of chemotactic activity, whereas other functions of PMN, such generation of superoxides and phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria, were preserved or even enhanced. The loss of the migratory capacity of PMN having already emigrated from the blood vessel to the infected site is not expected to affect the host defense negatively. Assuming, however, that bacteria are organized as a biofilm and that infiltration into this biofilm is required for phagocytosis of the bacteria, our data could to some extent explain why despite being activated, the PMN are not able to control the infection. By releasing their cytotoxic, proteolytic, and collagenolytic potential, PMN might instead contribute to tissue destruction and eventually to osteolysis.

Post-traumatic osteomyelitis: analysis of inflammatory cells recruited into the site of infection

Device-associated infections after implants or endoprostheses inflict local inflammation and ultimately osteolysis, a clinical entity referred to as posttraumatic osteomyelitis. The underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet known; formation of bacterial biofilms on the implant is presumed, conferring resistance to antibiotics and to host defense mechanisms as well. To gain insight into the pathogenesis of post-traumatic osteomyelitis, the infected site was analyzed for the presence of immunocompetent cells. In 18 patients, the infected site was rinsed intraoperatively. This so-called lavage contained 1-2 x 107 leukocytes, predominantly highly activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), as characterized by low expression of CD62L (selectin), and high expression of the adhesion protein CD18, of the high-affinity immunoglobulin (IgG) receptor CD64, and of the LPS-receptor CD14. CD16, the low-affinity IgG receptor, was affected in some patients only. Because the majority of infections were caused by staphylococci species, the effect of bacteria-derived lipoteichoic acid on PMN of healthy donors was tested in vitro. A similar activation pattern was found: rapid down-regulation of CD62L, a slower loss of CD16, and upregulation of CD18, CD64, and CD14. Lipoteichoic acid signaling required p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and resulted in induction of CD14-specific mRNA and de novo protein synthesis. We conclude that PMNs infiltrate the infected site, but despite local activation they are unable to clear the bacteria, presumably because of biofilm formation. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that during the ineffective "frustrated" attempt to phagocytose, PMNs release cytotoxic and proteolytic entities that in turn contribute to the progression of tissue injury and ultimately to osteolysis.

Genetic deficiency of CD16, the low-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin G, has no impact on the functional capacity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils

BACKGROUND

Of the three receptors for immunoglobulin G (IgG), the low-affinity receptor CD16 is constitutively expressed on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), monocytes and NK-cells. CD16 participates in various effector functions, notably phagocytosis of opsonized particles or of immune complexes, and in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In the present study we report a case of total CD16 deficiency on PMNs and monocytes.

DESIGN

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils, monocytes and NK-cells were analyzed for surface-receptor expression by cytofluorometry and laser scan microscopy. Moreover, CD16-specific mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR. As functional parameters, phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria was tested, as was superoxide production.

RESULTS

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils and monocytes totally deficient in CD16 were detected by chance in an apparently healthy individual. Further analysis revealed that two more members of his family, his father and sister, were also deficient in CD16. All were healthy and there was no evidence of an increased frequency, or of exceptionally severe or persistent infections. Despite the lack of CD16, phagocytosis of antibody-coated bacteria was within the normal range, as was the superoxide production.

CONCLUSION

Deficiency of CD16 does not compromise the host defence. Apparently, the other receptors for IgG, CD32 and CD64, can compensate for the lack of CD16.

Up-regulation of the dendritic cell marker CD83 on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN): divergent expression in acute bacterial infections and chronic inflammatory disease

Upon cultivation with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma ) and granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) acquire characteristics of dendritic cells, including expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens, of the co-stimulatory antigens CD80, CD86 and of CD83, the latter considered to be specific for dendritic cells. Dendritic-like PMN were also able to present to T cells antigens in a MHC class II-restricted manner. To assess whether dendritic-like PMN are also generated in vivo, cells of patients with acute bacterial infections and of patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (primary vasculitis) were tested. During acute infection up to 80% of PMN acquired CD83, but remained negative for MHC class II, CD80 or CD86. PMN of patients with primary vasculitis expressed MHC class II antigens, CD80 and CD86, but not CD83, indicating that up-regulation of MHC class II and of CD83 are not necessarily linked to each other. Indeed, parallel studies with PMN of healthy donors showed that while IFN-gamma and granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induced both, MHC class II and CD83, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha selectively induced de novo synthesis of CD83. The function of CD83 on PMN is still elusive. A participation in the MHC class II-restricted antigen presentation could be ruled out, consistent with the segregation of MHC class II and CD83 expression. Regardless, however, of its function, CD83 expression could serve as a marker to differentiate between acute and chronic inflammation.