Interferon-gamma therapy activates human monocytes for enhanced phagocytosis of Mycobacterium avium complex in HIV-infected individuals

Abstract

Defective immunological function of cells of the macrophage lineage contributes to the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. Because monocyte/macrophage function is enhanced by cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), the use of this immunomodulator is of potential clinical interest as adjunctive immunotherapy in immunosuppressed individuals. In this study, we show that adjunctive IFN-γ treatment in an HIV-infected individual with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection increased phagocytosis of MAC by blood monocytes when compared to cells from an HIV-infected patient who was receiving standard chemotherapy alone. Enhanced phagocytic efficiency resulting from IFN-γ therapy was associated ..