Decreased binding of specific monomeric and trimeric G-proteins with the plasma membrane of polymorphonuclear leukocytes exposed to influenza A virus.

Influenza A virus (IAV)-induced polymorphonuclear leukocyte (pMNL) dysfunction is important in causing secondary bacterial infections that lead to most influenza-related deaths. We previously showed that PMNLs exposed to IAV followed by a variety of stimuli (e.g., FMLP, PMA) demonstrate inhibition of various activation steps and endstage functions, suggesting IAV alters an early step in cell signalling. The present study examined IAV's effect on trimeric and monomeric G-proteins, since alterations of these proteins could explain IAV-induced PMNL dysfunction to various stimuli. PMNLs exposed to IAV for 30 min had decreased membrane-associated basal and high affinity guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity compared with control cells. immunoblotting studies, using trimeric G-protein alpha and beta subunit-specific Abs, showed IAV decreased plasma membrane association of the trimeric G-proteins alpha subunits Gi2 and Gq by 33% +/- 5 and 46% +/- 8, respectively; binding of Gi3 and Gs was not altered. Similar studies involving monomeric G-proteins demonstrated that IAV decreased the membrane binding of rap1A (35% +/- 4), but not rac G-proteins. Corresponding increases in these IAV-altered G-proteins were detected in intracellular compartments. These data suggest the mechanism of IAV-induced PMNL dysfunction involves alterations in the binding of trimeric and monomeric G-proteins to plasma membranes.

Role of the sialophorin (CD43) receptor in mediating influenza A virus-induced polymorphonuclear leukocyte dysfunction.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) exposed to influenza A virus (IAV) undergo activation of the respiratory burst followed by depression of cell function when subsequently exposed to particulate or soluble stimuli. The effect of IAV on PMNLs is likely to be mediated through the attachment of IAV to one or more specific receptors. Recently, IAV has been shown to bind to the sialophorin protein (CD43) receptor on PMNL plasma membranes. The present study was performed to determine if the sialophorin receptor was responsible for IAV-induced PMNL dysfunction. When PMNLs were incubated with IAV or CD43 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) for 30 minutes and then exposed to a secondary particulate (opsonized zymosan) or soluble (FMLP or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) stimulus, there was significant depression of the PMNL chemiluminescence response compared with the equivalent control (P < .05). When PMNL were incubated with the CD43 MoAb and then cross-linked with a goat antimouse IgG antibody, no depression of PMNL function occurred upon secondary stimulation. Exposure of cells to IAV aggregates also eliminated the PMNL dysfunction that normally occurs due to the virus. Similar to IAV, PMNL dysfunction due to the CD43 MoAb could be overcome by priming the cells with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. These findings indicate that IAV-induced PMNL dysfunction is mediated, at least in part, through the sialophorin receptor.

Effect of priming polymorphonuclear leukocytes with cytokines (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF] and G-CSF) on the host resistance to Streptococcus pneumoniae in chinchillas infected with influenza A virus.

Patients infected with influenza A virus (IAV) are at increased risk for bacterial superinfections, and this occurs in association with depressed polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function. Recently, we reported that in vitro exposure of human PMNL to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) reverses IAV-induced cell dysfunction. The present study used an established animal model of IAV infection to examine whether G-CSF and/or GM-CSF can overcome IAV-induced PMNL dysfunction and thereby prevent secondary infections. Preliminary studies determined a dosing schedule of these cytokines that caused significant priming of chinchilla PMNL. In subsequent studies, animals were inoculated intranasally with IAV (day 1) followed 3 days later by Streptococcus pneumoniae, and administered daily intraperitoneal injections with a cytokine or placebo on days 3 through 9. Animals had blood obtained on multiple occasions for PMNL studies, and were followed-up for evidence of pneumococcal disease. Both cytokines caused significant priming of the PMNL chemiluminescence response and this was associated with reversal of the IAV-induced PMNL dysfunction. However, neither cytokine decreased the incidence of pneumococcal disease.