[RNA synthesis in the polymorphonuclear leukocytes of a suppurative wound]

RNA synthesis in biopsy specimens of burn or traumatic wounds and in blood leukocytes was investigated in 11 patients by electron microscopic radioautography. Experiments with leukocytes were carried out in two variants: 1) incubation with 3H-uridine; 2) incubation with 3H-uridine in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus of Staphylococcus epidermidis suspensions. It was detected that neutrophils incubated without bacteria did not contain the label. Neutrophils incubated with bacteria and phagocytizing them could incorporate 3H-uridine. The label was insignificant in this case and the number of labeled cells did not exceed 18%. The majority of neutrophils (70-90%) in pus accumulations from burn and traumatic wounds contained the label in a higher concentration than neutrophils that phagocytize bacteria in test-tubes.