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Isolation of Brain-infiltrating Leukocytes
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Isolation of Brain-infiltrating Leukocytes

Published on: June 13, 2011

Complement (C5)-derived chemotactic activity accounts for accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in

J D Ernst, K T Hartiala, I M Goldstein

    Infection and Immunity
    |October 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    In rabbit meningitis, complement C5-derived factors attract polymorphonuclear leukocytes to cerebrospinal fluid. This chemoattractant activity drives leukocyte accumulation during infection.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Neuroscience
    • Microbiology

    Background:

    • Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are crucial for combating bacterial infections.
    • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is vital for diagnosing meningitis.
    • The specific chemoattractants driving PMN infiltration in pneumococcal meningitis are not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To identify the chemoattractant responsible for polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) accumulation in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during experimental pneumococcal meningitis.
    • To elucidate the role of complement system activation in this process.

    Main Methods:

    • Induction of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis in New Zealand white rabbits.
    • Measurement of chemotactic activity in CSF using rabbit PMNs.
    • Characterization of chemoattractant properties (heat stability, size exclusion chromatography).
    • Inhibition studies using antibodies to human C5 and purified rabbit C5a.

    Main Results:

    • Chemotactic activity for PMNs significantly increased in CSF 12 hours post-infection, peaking at 18-20 hours.
    • The chemotactic activity was heat-stable and co-eluted with complement-derived factors.
    • Activity was inhibited by anti-C5 antibodies and selective blockade with C5a.

    Conclusions:

    • Complement (C5)-derived chemoattractant activity appears in CSF during experimental pneumococcal meningitis.
    • This C5-derived activity is a primary driver for the accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the infected CSF.
    • Findings highlight the role of the complement system in the inflammatory response to bacterial meningitis.

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