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Published on: September 28, 2016
Characteristics of cells present in peritoneal fluids of mice injected intraperitoneally with Bordetella pertussis
Abstract:
Peritoneal fluids obtained from mice after the intraperitoneal administration of Bordetella pertussis vaccine, heated vaccine, an extract of the organisms, killed Escherichia coli, or thioglycolate medium were examined in terms of total cells and percentage that adhered to glass cover slips during 2-h incubation period. All these substances were found to increase the number of leukocytes in peritoneal fluid within 1 to 2 days after the injection. This increase appeared to be due to an influx of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes with relative proportions at a given time dependent upon the material involved in the induction of the response. The initial increases after pertussis vaccine seemed to be due mainly to an influx of monomuclear cells, whereas with E. coli neutrophils constituted the major portion of the cell population. The percentage of peritoneal cells that attached to glass was also found to be markedly reduced in preparations obtained from mice after the injection of B. pertussis or E. coli. There appeared to be differences in persistence of this phenomenon, with preparations containing the histamine-sensitizing factor being the most active in affecting adherence properties. Thus these data would suggest that the action of B. pertussis on macrophages (or precursors) and neutrophils is not expressed in terms of suppression of emigration properties, as has been reported by others for lymphocytes, but is manifested in the alteration of glass-adherence characteristics. Within experimental limitations, it is believed that macrophages are possibly more involved in terms of altered function than are the polymorphonuclear cells.
Insights
Bordetella pertussis and E. coli injections alter immune cell behavior in mice. These bacteria reduce the ability of peritoneal cells, particularly macrophages, to adhere to surfaces, indicating a functional change.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- The intraperitoneal administration of various substances, including Bordetella pertussis vaccine, can elicit an immune response in mice.
- Understanding the cellular dynamics and functional changes in peritoneal fluid following such stimuli is crucial for immunology research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Bordetella pertussis vaccine and other agents on peritoneal fluid leukocytes in mice.
- To analyze changes in total leukocyte count, differential cell populations, and glass adherence properties.
Main Methods:
- Mice were injected intraperitoneally with Bordetella pertussis vaccine, heated vaccine, bacterial extracts, killed Escherichia coli, or thioglycolate medium.
- Peritoneal fluids were collected 1-2 days post-injection and analyzed for total cell counts and differential leukocyte percentages.
- The percentage of cells adhering to glass cover slips during a 2-hour incubation period was determined.
Main Results:
- All tested substances increased peritoneal leukocyte counts, primarily due to influxes of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
- B. pertussis primarily increased mononuclear cells, while E. coli increased neutrophils.
- Peritoneal cells from mice injected with B. pertussis or E. coli showed significantly reduced glass adherence.
Conclusions:
- B. pertussis and E. coli alter the functional characteristics of peritoneal leukocytes, specifically their adherence properties, rather than suppressing emigration.
- Macrophages appear to be more involved in these functional alterations than polymorphonuclear cells.
- The histamine-sensitizing factor in B. pertussis preparations strongly influences these adherence changes.

