Neutrophils from patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection have impaired complement receptor function and preserved Fc gamma receptor function

Interleukin (IL)-8 production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to Cryptococcus neoformans is related to complement activation. Generation of the bioactive fragments C3a and C5a is responsible for IL-8 release, IL- 8 production was analyzed in response to C. neoformans by PMNL from persons with early- and late-stage (>400 and <200 CD4 cells/mm(3), respectively) h uman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who were at high risk for crypt ococcosis, IL-8 release by PMNL from persons with early-stage infection and from healthy donors was similar; however, PMNL from persons with late-stag e HIV infection had significantly impaired IL-g production, which correlate d with reduced IL-8 response to C3a and C5a proteins and decreased CD88 exp ression, Addition of murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) 18B7 promoted phagocy tosis and restored IL-8 release consistent with integrity of Fc gamma RIII, These results provide evidence for a selective defect in CD88 expression o n PMNL from persons with late-stage HIV infection. However, Fc gamma recept or expression in PMNL appears to be intact and allows MAb to glucuronoxylom annan to positively influence PMNL function.