Impaired gp-91(phox) gene expression and dysfunction of peripheral blood neutrophils in patients maintaining hemodialysis

Objective To investigate expressions of gp-91(phox) and IL-8 gene and the f unction of neutrophils in hemodialysis(HD) patients, and to understand the relationship between uremia and immune. Methods Gene expression was studied by means of reversal transcription poly merase chain reaction(RT/PCR) from the untreated and treated with lipopolys accharide (LPS) neutrophils in controls and HD patients. Phagocytosis and b actericidal assays were measured as a decrease in the number of viable intr acellular and extracellular bacteria by colony counts. Results Freshly isolated neutrophils express gp-91(phox) mRNA in controls w hile no gp-91(phox) mRNA was detected in HD patients. When challenged with LPS, gp-91phox mRNA exhibited decreased expression. IL-8 mRNA in HD patient s could be spontaneously expressed. Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of neutrophils, when exposed to Staphylococcus aureus, were decreased obvio usly compared with controls. Conclusions The impaired gp-91(phox) gene expression of neutrophils indicat es the impaired NADPH-oxidase system and the untreated neutrophils spontane ously express IL-8 mRNA in the HD patients, which is consistent with suppre ssed phagocytosis and intracellular killing capacity.