Open AccessPhagocytosis by bovine polymorphs of glass‐adherent Escherichia coli in the presence and absence of serum
Author(s) -
Rainard Pascal
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1987.tb02200.x
Subject(s) - phagocytosis , opsonin , escherichia coli , antibody , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , strain (injury) , biology , bovine serum albumin , chemistry , immunology , biochemistry , genetics , anatomy , gene
The influence of serum on the phagocytosis and killing of Escherichia coli adherent to glass (‘surface phagocytosis’) was investigated by using 2 strains known to require opsonisation when phagocytosis takes place in suspension. Although phagocytosis of the unencapsulated strain occurred in the absence of serum, serum was necessary for the uptake of the encapsulated strain, and improved the uptake of both strains. Killing of ingested bacteria appeared to be independent of serum. Antibodies were not an absolute requirement for the promoting effect of serum, and the necessity for complement (Cp) appeared to depend on the presence of antibodies and on the strain tested. The results suggest that serum components other than opsonins (antibodies and Cp) contributed to the serum‐enhanced uptake of bacteria.