A soluble mannose receptor immunoadhesin enhances phagocytosis of Pneumocystis carinii by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro

Pneumocystis carinii is an opportunistic pathogen that causes pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. In the normal host, P. carinii is susceptible to a n array of first line host defense mechanisms that are operative in the lun g. Alveolar macrophages play a central role in the clearance of inhaled org anisms. The macrophage mannose receptor (MR) appears to be sufficient for P . carinii phagocytosis. In individuals infected with the human immunodefici ency virus, MR expression on alveolar macrophages and P. carinii phagocytos is are decreased, however, Fc-receptor mediated phagocytosis remains intact . In this study, we demonstrate that a recombinant soluble MR immunoadhesin , consisting of the essential carbohydrate binding MR ectodomain and the Fc -region of human immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, binds P. carinii and leads to an 8. 2-fold increased uptake of P. carinii by phagocytic cells. Our results sugg est that the soluble MR immunoadhesin may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of P. carinii infections.