The metabolism of the innate immunity cells in bacterial infections

Metabolic activity of innate immunity cells infected by various doses of Gram-negative (Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Salmonella enteritidis) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes) bacteria has been investigated. Using various animal models we found that during the initial period (up to 2 days) changes of infection in cellular responses depend on the type of the pathogen. In response to infection caused by Gram-negative bacteria predominant neutrophil accumulation in the foci of inflammation was observed, while Gram-positive bacteria induced preferential accumulation of macrophages. The study of metabolism of these cells showed that the response of terminally differentiated primed phagocytes to pathogen appearance was higher than in cells circulating in blood. In addition to the priming state the phagocyte reactivity is influenced by the bacterial load. At a low phagocyte/microbe ratio the cells reaction is almost undetectable, while an excess of microorganisms causes (despite of the increase of the phagocytic parameters) the hyperactivation of cell metabolism and production of maximal amounts of bactericide agents, which exhibit a damaging effect on the cell itself.