Oxidative burst and 1H-NMR-detectable mobile lipids in neutrophils

Neutrophils exposed to pro-inflammatory substances have an increased capability to respond to a membrane receptor-binding stimulus triggering an oxidative burst. One other considered sign of neutrophil activation is the appearance of a high-resolution 'H-NMR spectrum probably resulting from a rearrangement of neutral lipids in the membrane. The relationship between these two events is here studied. Neutrophils were recovered from a subcutaneous fungal infection using two murine lineages that respond differently to infection. It was concluded that rearrangement of lipids in the membrane, observable by NMR, appears also in neutrophils that do not exhibit the classical sign of activation, that is the increased expression of membrane receptors.