Neutrophil alkaline phosphatase in AIDS

A quantitative method to measure alkaline phosphatase activities in individual leukocytes by image analysis

Leucocyte alkaline phosphatase (L-ALP) is well known as leukemia marker, but recent results suggest its usefulness for the diagnosis of several diseases. The aim of this study was to develop a quantitative method to measure alkaline phosphatase activities in individual leukocytes by image analysis. We studied the reaction rate of L-ALP in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes by a microscope attached to a TV camera and a computerized image analyzer. The optical density (OD) measured was standardized by grey filters with known absorbance. We measured IOD for individual cells after a set incubation time by end-point measurements. Studies of kinetic parameters of L-ALP were performed by single-point measurements in the linear phase of the reaction and at increasing substrate concentrations. Cellular IOD increased proportionally with incubation time up to 10 min. The mean KM(mM) and Vmax(delta IOD/min) values were 0.70 +/- 0.11 and 1.76 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- SE, n = 5) respectively. Our findings are comparable to previous results using a polyvynil alcohol method in microphotometry analysis. The image analysis of cellular L-ALP activity appears a valuable tool for quantitative studies.

Kinetics and characteristics of bovine neutrophil alkaline phosphatase during acute Escherichia coli mastitis

Alkaline phosphatase activity of isolated bovine blood neutrophils was investigated before and during experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis. Activities markedly increased 1 wk after infection in neutrophils of cows suffering from moderate or from severe disease. Elevated neutrophil alkaline phosphatase activity did not correlate with a specific stage of maturating postmitotic neutrophils appearing in circulation during mastitis. Neutrophil alkaline phosphatase from healthy cows before infection and from mastitic cows was characterized by means of thermostability, specific inhibitor patterns, slab gel electrophoresis, and kinetic parameter analysis. The leukocyte enzyme from healthy and mastitic cows displayed very similar characteristics, suggesting that the increase in activity during mastitis is most probably related to the enhanced expression of the normal alkaline phosphatase enzyme.

Role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in infection by retroviruses with emphasis on the human immunodeficiency virus

Neutrophil function is an integral part of the host defense against multiple pathogens. Through phagocytosis and production of toxic substances, these short lived cells aid in the effective elimination of invading microorganisms such as bacterial and fungal targets. Viral infections, and in particular those of the retroviral type, appear to suppress the immune response through direct cytotoxic destruction of immune cells or alteration of the biochemical interactions that are essential for eradicating the foreign agent. In this report, we describe abnormalities of neutrophil number and function consequent to HIV and other retroviral infections. A myriad of mechanisms, either alone or in concert may explain the underlying aberrations.