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Incorporation of 14C-thymidine in human platelets: possible relation with a diffuse infection of micrococci in the L
Abstract:
Following the results of previous researches suggesting that platelets might carry microbial forms, the incorporation of 14C-thymidine in suspensions of platelets from 500 normal human subjects has been taken under examination. The results have always yielded positive data even though with marked differences of a quantitative order from a case to another. The hypothesis that such an activity might be the consequence of a synthesis of DNA in the mitochondria had to be excluded. The peculiar relations linking the incorporation rate to the number of platelets and to the presence of plasma or serum in given amounts and the strong inhibition exerted by oxytetracyclines suggest that the detected metabolic activity may be attributed to the presence of bacterial L-forms carried by platelets. The results of cultural, optical and electron microscopical investigations, which will be published elsewere, confirmed such interpretation.
Insights
Platelets may carry microbial L-forms, as evidenced by 14C-thymidine incorporation, suggesting bacterial presence within these blood cells. Further research confirmed this interpretation, highlighting a novel aspect of platelet microbiology.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Previous research suggested platelets may harbor microbial forms.
- Understanding platelet-associated microbial carriage is crucial for infection and thrombosis research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the metabolic activity of human platelets using 14C-thymidine incorporation.
- To determine if observed activity is due to platelet or carried microbial DNA synthesis.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of platelet-rich plasma from 500 healthy individuals with 14C-thymidine.
- Analysis of thymidine incorporation rates in relation to platelet count, plasma/serum presence, and antibiotic inhibition.
- Exclusion of mitochondrial DNA synthesis as the source of activity.
Main Results:
- Consistent positive 14C-thymidine incorporation was observed across all subjects.
- Incorporation rates varied quantitatively between individuals.
- Activity was linked to platelet number and plasma/serum presence, and strongly inhibited by oxytetracyclines.
Conclusions:
- The metabolic activity is attributed to bacterial L-forms carried by platelets, not platelet mitochondrial DNA synthesis.
- This finding suggests a significant role for platelets in harboring and potentially transporting microbial L-forms.