[The Fc-dependent binding of gram-negative bacterial endotoxins by human blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes]

The treatment of thin blood smears with antibodies to glycolipid of chemotype Re, conjugated with horseradish peroxidase, revealed that under physiological conditions about 3.5% of leukocytes bound endotoxin of gram-negative bacteria by means of the Fc-dependent mechanism. In addition, about 4.9% of leukocytes may bind endotoxin as the result of the treatment of blood smears with the preparation of glycolipid of chemotype Re. At the acute period of bacterial cerebrospinal meningitis leukocytes capable of binding endotoxin in the body or during the treatment of blood smears are practically absent. The conclusion was made that the binding of endotoxins by leukocytes had a protective character.