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Lysosomal enzymes and microbicidal capacity of activated macrophage
Abstract:
A relation was sought between acid phosphatase contents and the presence of tubercle bacilli inside the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) of normal guinea pigs and those immunized with BCG. This was done to investigate the role lysosomal enzymes play in the microbicidal capacity of the cell. In both normal and immune animals tubercle bacilli were present only in those PEC that contained acid phosphatase. Cells without acid phosphatase did not contain bacilli. Thus, only activated cells ingested bacilli. Under the conditions of these experiments, macrophage activation, as indicated by the presence of acid phosphatase, was not related to the immune status of the animal. Similarly, stimulation by ingestion of tubercle bacilli was not significant. Also, the number of acid phosphatase grains/cell did not influence the number of bacilli/cell. Thus, the acid phosphatase content of the cell did not correlate with the number of bacilli inside the cell. It was concluded that acid phosphatase may not be one of the factors that contribute to the microbicidal capacity of the cell.
Insights
Acid phosphatase indicates activated peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) ingest tubercle bacilli in guinea pigs. However, acid phosphatase levels did not correlate with microbicidal capacity, suggesting it
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Lysosomal enzymes are crucial for cellular microbicidal activity.
- Acid phosphatase is a marker of cellular activation in macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between acid phosphatase content and tubercle bacilli presence in peritoneal exudate cells (PEC).
- To explore the role of lysosomal enzymes in the microbicidal capacity of PEC.
Main Methods:
- Examined acid phosphatase levels in PEC from normal and BCG-immunized guinea pigs.
- Quantified tubercle bacilli within PEC containing acid phosphatase.
Main Results:
- Tubercle bacilli were found exclusively in PEC with acid phosphatase, indicating activated cells ingest bacilli.
- Macrophage activation, marked by acid phosphatase, was independent of immune status.
- Acid phosphatase levels did not correlate with the number of bacilli per cell or microbicidal capacity.
Conclusions:
- Acid phosphatase indicates macrophage activation but does not appear to be a primary factor in the microbicidal capacity against tubercle bacilli.
- Cellular activation, not immune status, dictates initial bacillary ingestion.