Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 27, 2026

High Throughput Fluorometric Technique for Assessment of Macrophage Phagocytosis and Actin Polymerization
09:22

High Throughput Fluorometric Technique for Assessment of Macrophage Phagocytosis and Actin Polymerization

Published on: November 27, 2014

Inhibition of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes phagocytosis and protein-kinase-C activity by low pH concentrations

P Courtois1, M Pourtois, A Rerren

  • 1Laboratoire de Stomatologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgique.

Journal De Biologie Buccale
|December 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Periodontal disease may be linked to decreased pH and succinic acid. These factors inhibit polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte function, impacting the body's defense mechanisms against chronic periodontitis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oral Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Periodontal disease involves inflammation and tissue destruction.
  • Polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes are crucial for innate immunity in the oral cavity.
  • The role of local environmental factors in periodontitis pathogenesis requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional status of PMN leukocytes in patients with periodontal disease.
  • To assess the impact of succinic acid and low pH on PMN leukocyte function.
  • To explore the potential role of these factors in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis.

Main Methods:

  • Collected PMN leukocytes from blood of periodontitis patients and healthy individuals.
  • Assessed PMN function using chemiluminescence, superoxide generation, degranulation, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, and protein-kinase-C activity.
  • Incubated PMN leukocytes with succinic acid and adjusted pH to 5.5.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in PMN function between periodontitis patients and healthy controls.
  • Succinic acid severely inhibited PMN phagocytic ability (light emission and superoxide production).
  • Protein-kinase-C activity in PMN leukocytes decreased significantly at pH 5.5.

Conclusions:

  • Decreased pH and succinic acid in crevicular fluid may contribute to chronic periodontitis.
  • These factors can impair PMN leukocyte function, compromising host defense.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms involved in periodontitis pathogenesis.

More Related Videos

Use of a Monocyte Monolayer Assay to Evaluate Fcγ Receptor-mediated Phagocytosis06:27

Use of a Monocyte Monolayer Assay to Evaluate Fcγ Receptor-mediated Phagocytosis

Published on: January 2, 2017

Human Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Isolation for Interrogating the Parkinson's Associated LRRK2 Kinase Pathway by Assessing Rab10 Phosphorylation12:49

Human Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Isolation for Interrogating the Parkinson's Associated LRRK2 Kinase Pathway by Assessing Rab10 Phosphorylation

Published on: March 21, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Protein Kinases and Phosphatases02:54

Protein Kinases and Phosphatases

Proteins undergo chemical modifications that trigger changes in the charge, structure, and conformation of the proteins. Phosphorylation, acetylation, glycosylation, nitrosylation, ubiquitination, lipidation, methylation, and proteolysis are various protein modifications that regulate protein activity. Such modifications are usually enzyme-driven.
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Phosphoinositides and PIPs01:42

Phosphoinositides and PIPs

Phosphoinositides are a group of phospholipids containing a glycerol backbone with two fatty acid chains and a phosphate attached to a myoinositol sugar ring. The inositol head group extends into the cytoplasm, where it is modified by adding phosphate groups to form phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs.
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...