[Electron microscopic and autoradiographic study of the interaction of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and...

Leukocyte suspensions of normal subjects and patients with burns and wounds were incubated with Staphylococcus epidermidis and incorporation of 3H-uridine into leukocytes and bacteria was examined by electron microscopic autoradiography. As the maturation of the precursor cells of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) progressed the level of RNA synthesis in them was found to decrease gradually and in PMNL RNA synthesis ceased completely. If PMNL take part in phagocytosis, however, RNA synthesis is found in a considerable number of them. The results indicate that RNA synthesis in PMNL is associated with the formation and functional condition of primary and secondary granules. Certain conditions affecting the viability of staphylococci ingested by phagocytes are described.