Effect of Priming Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes With Cytokines

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 W N L 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