Stimulation of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, and RANTES by Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from persons with and without human immunodeficiency virus infection

The beta-chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, and RANTES are critical for recruitment of inflammatory cells into infected tissue. Moreover, by binding to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coreceptor CCR5, release of these chemokines could influence the course of HIV infection. beta-chemokine gene expression and release was determined by ELISA and RNase protection assay, respectively, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-negative and -positive persons stimulated with Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, 2 fungi common in HIV-infected persons. Gene expression and/or release of all 3 chemokines was seen in response to both fungi although C. albicans was more potent than C. neoformans. Fungal stimulated chemokine production by HIV-positive PBMC was similar to that in HIV-negative PBMC, suggesting that the scant inflammatory response often seen in AIDS patients with cryptococcosis and candidiasis is not secondary to suboptimal beta-chemokine release.