CHANGES IN IMMUNOLOGICAL CELL-SURFACE MARKERS DURING COCAINE WITHDRAWAL IN PREGNANT-WOMEN

To evaluate the effects of acute cocaine withdrawal on the immune syst em of pregnant women, we analyzed changes in a panel of cell surface m arkers and plasma proteins that have immunological importance. The cel l surface markers included complement receptors [CR1 (CD35), CR2 (CD21 ), CR3 (CD11b, CD18)], immunoglobulin Fc receptors [Fc gamma RII (CD32 ), Fc gamma RIII (CD16)], proteins important for lymphocyte function [ CD3, CD4, CDs, CD19, CD25, CD45RA], and the framework antigen HLA-ABC. We also measured levels of the plasma proteins C3, C4, IgG, IgM, and IgA, along with the cytokine interleukin-2, soluble lymphocyte markers sCD25, sCD4, sCD8, IL-2, and soluble immune complexes. While no signi ficant changes were seen in the levels of plasma proteins, changes par alleling the course of acute withdrawal were seen in complement recept ors and immunoglobulin Fc receptors on leukocyte subpopulations. By co ntrast, proteins important for lymphocyte function were relatively unp erturbed. There was an increase in receptor expression at the onset of withdrawal that peaked 3-5 days after last cocaine use, followed by a decrease in expression to initial (pre-withdrawal) levels. These chan ges in cell surface receptors may reflect altered immune function in t he women who were withdrawing from cocaine. (C) 1996 Academic Press.