Neutrophil adhesion molecules in HIV disease

Neutrophil dysfunction in HIV disease is well described. We examined the expression of neutrophil adhesion molecules amongst 72 HIV-infected subjects using a whole blood flow cytometric assay with FITC- and R-PE-labelled isotype-specific MoAbs. We report lesser expression of CD11a (LFA-1) and L-selectin (CD62L) on the circulating neutrophils of HIV+ subjects compared with HIV- controls. Expression of CD11b (Mac-1) was unchanged. Shedding of L-selectin and up-regulation of CD11b in response to in vitro stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) were less in HIV+ compared with HIV- subjects, most markedly in subjects with CD4 cell counts < 100 cells/mm3. These results suggest that neutrophil dysfunction in HIV disease, which increases with disease progression, may be attributable to dysregulated adhesion molecule expression.