Change in expression of Fc gamma RIII (CD16) on neutrophils from human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals.

Fc gamma RIII on neutrophils is a phosphatidyl inositol glycan (PIG)-anchored protein that can be released from the cells by activation with chemotactic peptides. We have examined the expression of Fc gamma RIII (CD16), CD11b, and Fc gamma RII (CD32) on neutrophils from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-I-infected individuals by two-color FACS. In patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex and in HIV-I positive intravenous drug abusers we observed a substantial population (25%) of neutrophils that were autofluorescent, and did not stain with the anti-Fc gamma RIII mAb 3G8. This population was largely absent (3%) in HIV-I negative control individuals. No changes in the expression of Fc gamma RII, CD11b, or another PIG-anchored protein, decay accelerating factor (CD55) on neutrophils, were found. The presence of the Fc gamma RIII negative neutrophil population may be related to altered functions leading to common bacterial infections in advanced AIDS.