Elevated phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and F-actin formation in PMNs from individuals with intraoral manifestations of HIV infection.

Alterations in polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) function are frequently associated with intraoral disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if alterations exist in three early stimulatory events of PMN function in individuals with intraoral manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Peripheral PMNs were isolated from nine HIV-seropositive male homosexuals with HIV-associated periodontitis and intraoral candidiasis and healthy HIV-seronegative age-matched heterosexuals (controls). Phagocytosis was assessed using fluorescent microspheres, oxidative burst was assessed via hydrolysis of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (FCDH) to 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (FCDA) with PMA stimulation, and F-actin formation was assessed with NBD-phallacidin stain after stimulation with f-Met-Leu-Phe. Compared to controls, seven of nine HIV-seropositive patients demonstrated a significant increase in the percentage of phagocytic cells while seven of nine HIV-seropositive patients demonstrated a 5-59% increase in number of beads per cell. In the oxidative burst assay, seven of seven HIV-seropositive patients demonstrated a significant increase over controls in FCDA stain with PMA stimulation. In the F-actin assay, four of five HIV-seropositive patients demonstrated a significant increase over controls in NBD-phallacidin staining after f-Met-Leu-Phe stimulation.