Human MO subsets as defined by expression of CD64 and CD16 differ in phagocytic activity and generation of oxygen intermediates.

Phagocytosis and killing of microorganisms by reactive oxygen radicals are important defence mechanisms of the immune system and it was shown that human monocytes (MO) are heterogeneous in exerting these functions. Previously, we described that human peripheral blood MO consist of a major subset of Fc gamma-receptor-I (CD64)-positive cells exhibiting low accessory cell capacity but high phagocytic activity, and a minor subset of CD64-negative cells with dendritic cell (DC)-like high T cell accessory cell capacity but low phagocytic capacity. Recently, we could show that each subset itself further differs in the expression of the Fc gamma-receptor-III (CD16) and T cell accessory activities resulting in four different subsets: two CD16+ subsets (CD64+ or CD64-) with high T cell stimulation capacity and two CD16- subsets (CD64+ or CD64-) with low accessory activities. In the present study we demonstrate that these subsets also differ in their ability to phagocytose opsonized bacteria (S. aureus and E. coli) and in the generation of reactive oxygen species. Both CD64+ subsets (CD16+ or CD16-) exhibit high phagocytic activity accompanied by intracellular superoxide induction. Luminol-dependent (mainly myeloperoxidase (MPO)-mediated) chemiluminescence (CL) response to latex and FMLP (formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine) was also high in these cell populations. Phagocytic activity and modest CL response was shown in CD64-/CD16+ but not in CD64-/CD16- cells, indicating that each subset except for CD64-/CD16- cells may engulf bacteria and exhibit MPO activity. Taken together, these data demonstrate further heterogeneity of peripheral blood MO in both, phagocytic activity and generation of reactive oxygen species indicating differences between the four subsets in this kind of defence mechanisms against pathogens.