Expression patterns of Fcγ receptors, HLA-DR and selected adhesion molecules on monocytes from normal and HIV-infected individuals

Abstract

The expression and co-expression profiles of functionally important monocyte surface markers were compared between control and HIV+ individuals using combined physical gating and dim CD4 expression to delineate the monocytes. The FcγRII (CD32), the MHC class II antigen HLA-DR and the adhesion molecules CD11a (LFA-1α), CD18 and CD54 (ICAM-1) showed an unimodal distribution. Of these markers, CD11a and HLA-DR were up-regulated in the HIV+ subjects compared with controls. The expression levels of the adhesion molecules correlated with each other in both patients and controls. The CD11b (CR3-α), CD14, FcγRI, and FcγRIII markers were bimodally distributed. Compared with controls, monocytes from seropositives contained fewer CD14(bright+) cells, an equal proportion of FcγRI(bright+) cellss, but twice as many FcγRIII+ cells. The expression decreased. Both in patients and controls, co-expression of bright CD11b, CD14 and FcγRI was shown, whereas the FcγRI and CD11b within their brigthly positive subset increased as CD4 T cells decreased. Both in patients and controls, co-expression of bright CD11b, CD14 and FcγRI was shown, whereas the FcγRIII+ cells were negative or dim positive for the former triad. We conclude that the expression of two FcγR (I and III), of the adhesion molecules CD11a and Cd11b and of HLA-DR showed particular alterations on monocytes from HIV+ subjects. The relationship of these phenotypic observatoins with altered cytokine profiles and altered monocyte function is discussed.