Neutrophil oxidative metabolism after exposure to bacterial phospholipase C

The effects of phospholipase C (PLC) from Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus cereus on bovine neutrophil oxidative metabolism were studied by measuring superoxide production and oxygen consumption in response to PLC alone or in combination with other stimuli. PLC from both species elicited superoxide production and enhanced the response to stimulation by NaF when the two stimuli were given simultaneously. However, oxygen consumption in response to latex beads was markedly inhibited by pretreatment of cells with B. cereus PLC. The results suggest that some bacterial PLC exoenzymes may initially activate neutrophils but leave the cells relatively unresponsive to subsequent stimuli.