[Ultrastructural manifestations of the membrane activity of neutrophilic leukocytes]

Phagocytic function of neutrophils is associated with activation of cell membranes. Neutrophil membranous activity is considered for patients with inflammatory and purulent diseases. It appeared not uniform and served the basis for division the neutrophils into three groups. Group I neutrophils are inactive, being not involved in phagocytosis, but bearing bactericidal potential; their membranes are stable. Group II neutrophils show moderate activity, phagocytizing and inactivating bacteria; phagocytosis proceeds without cell destruction. Group III neutrophils cause membranes hyperactivation with resultant dysfunction of phagocytes, phagocytosis involves both bacteria and surrounding protein substrates, immature phagosomes and vacuoles are produced, membranes are unstable. With aggravation of the inflammation and suppuration, the number of blood hyperactivated neutrophils increases.