REDUCED EXPRESSION OF INTERLEUKIN-8 RECEPTOR-A AND RECEPTOR-B ON POLYMORPHONUCLEAR NEUTROPHILS FROM PERSONS WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1 DISEASE AND PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

The expression of the two human interleukin (IL)-8 receptors, designat ed IL-8RA (CXCR-1) and IL-8RB (CXCR-2), on the surface of whole blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was determined by use of receptor- specific monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Sixteen subjects ea ch were included in 4 study groups: healthy blood donors (ND), patient s with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus type 1-seropositive patients (HIV), and HIV-1-seropositive subjects with pu lmonary tuberculosis (HIV/TB). A significant reduction in the percenta ge of PMNL expressing IL-8RA and IL-8RB and in their respective fluore scence intensities was found in TB, HIV, and HIV/TB groups compared wi th that obtained for the ND group. The greatest downregulation of both receptors occurred in the HIV/TB group. Furthermore, associated with this reduced expression of IL-8 receptors was impairment of both intra cellular calcium flux and migration of PMNL in response to IL-8 in a g roup of HIV/TB patients compared with that in healthy persons.