Hiroe Shiratsuchi

Modulation of the effector function of human monocytes for Mycobacterium avium by human immunodeficiency virus-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120.

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection in AIDS is associated with high tissue burdens (10(9)-10(10) mycobacteria/g tissue) of organism. The basis for the extraordinary susceptibility of AIDS to M. avium infection is unclear. HIV or its constituents may alter mononuclear phagocyte functions resulting in enhanced intracellular M. avium growth. The effects of an envelope glycoprotein (gp120), a transmembrane protein (p121), and core proteins of HIV-1 on M. avium infection of human monocytes were examined. Preculturing monocytes with gp120 inhibited M. avium phagocytosis and consistently enhanced intracellular growth of six M. avium strains. Pretreatment with p121, gag5, or p24 did not inhibit phagocytosis nor enhance intracellular growth of M. avium. Incubation of gp120 with soluble CD4 before addition to monocyte cultures or pretreatment of monocytes with OKT4A abrogated gp120 effects on M. avium phagocytosis and intracellular growth. gp120 also augmented cytokine production by infected monocytes. These results suggest that gp120, but not p121 or core proteins, modulate monocyte phagocytosis and enhance intracellular growth of M. avium at least in part through monocyte CD4 receptors. Direct effects of HIV-1 products may, therefore, contribute to the diathesis of AIDS to develop disseminated M. avium infection and to the extensive replication of the organisms within tissue macrophages.

Altered IL-1 expression and compartmentalization in monocytes from patients with AIDS stimulated with Mycobacterium avium complex.

The pathophysiologic basis for the exuberant intracellular growth of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in AIDS patients is unclear but may relate to altered expression of modulatory cytokines. Interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and TNF-α expression by monocytes from AIDS patients and healthy subjects (HS) stimulated with isogeneic MAC strains (SmT, smooth-transparent, virulent; SmD, smooth-domed, avirulent) was examined. Spontaneous cytokine production was not observed in patients with AIDS. MAC strains induced less IL-1α and IL-1β release in AIDS patients than HS (P < 0.05). The ratio of cell-associated to supernatant IL-1α also was increased in AIDS patients (P = 0.03). IL-1β mRNA expression paralleled protein release in either group of subjects. In both HS and AIDS patients, stimulation with SmD induced more IL-1 and TNF-α release by monocytes compared to SmT. In AIDS patients, SmD also induced greater IL-6 release than SmT (P < 0.01). Alterations in monocyte expression and compartmentalization of the regulatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6 may enhance bacterial replication and contribute to the patho-genesis of MAC infection in AIDS.

Ultraviolet-irradiated monocytes efficiently inhibit the intracellular replication of Mycobacterium avium intracellulare.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the antimicrobial activities of monocytes for the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI). UV radiation augmented monocyte antimicrobial activity for MAI in a dose-dependent fashion. UVB doses of greater than or equal to 25 J/m2 resulted in a 50-100-fold reduction in MAI growth 7 d after initiation of culture. The increased monocyte antibacterial effect could be blocked by a plate glass filter, indicating that wavelengths within the UVB were responsible for the effect. UV radiation did not stimulate monocyte phagocytosis, and enhanced inhibition of MAI growth was observed in populations of adherent mononuclear cells that were devoid of T cells. This suggested that UV radiation acted directly to augment intrinsic monocyte antimicrobial activities. The administration of 8-methoxypsoralen plus UVA radiation to monocytes also augmented their antimicrobial activities against MAI. UV radiation thus may serve as a unique agent by which to evaluate the mechanisms by which mononuclear phagocytes control the growth of MAI.