Mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leucocyte dysfunction in male homosexuals with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

In addition to the well-documented abnormalities of cell-mediated immunity we have observed that both polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNLs) and mononuclear leucocytes (MNLs) from 3 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) showed markedly defective migratory responsiveness to leuko-attractants in vitro. Reduced PMNL and MNL chemotaxis is attributable, at least in part, to a serum inhibitor of leucocyte migration, since co-incubation of PMNLs from healthy control subjects with 10% AIDS serum inhibited the migration to leuko-attractants of these cells. This serum-inhibitory effect on leucocyte migration was not due to the presence in AIDS serum of increased levels of prostaglandin E2, cytomegalo-virus or anti-leukocyte antibodies. However, elevated serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were observed in all 3 patients. IgA is a potent inhibitor of PMNL and MNL migration. It is possible that serum inhibitors of leucocyte migration perpetuate the profound immunosuppression characteristic of AIDS.