Abstract
Studies have been made on phagocytosis and killing of Group A streptococci during mixing with suspensions of leucocytes in vitro. Under appropriate test conditions an anti-phagocytic effect can be demonstrated for the streptococcal hyaluronic acid capsule as well as for its M protein. The results obtained suggest an explanation for the suitability of human, but not rabbit, blood for opsonophagocytic tests designed to measure type-specific streptococcal antibodies. Human sera contain a factor which counteracts the anti-phagocytic effects of streptococcal hyaluronic acid capsules, and hence human blood serves well for detection of antibodies which combine with the only other phagocytosis-resisting component of this microorganism, namely M protein. In contrast, rabbit sera contain none of this factor, and addition of antibody to M protein to phagocytic test systems employing rabbit serum does not necessarily render the streptococci susceptible to engulfment by white cells, since the hyaluronic acid capsule may continue to interfere with phagocytosis. The nature of the human serum factor which opsonizes encapsulated streptococci is unknown. It does not appear to be an antibody or an enzyme capable of depolymerizing hyaluronic acid.
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (743.6 KB).
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- FLECK D. G. Mouse protection and enhancement of phagocytosis by antisera to Streptococcus pyogenes. Br J Exp Pathol. 1956 Aug;37(4):406–414. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- FOLEY M. J., WOOD W. B., Jr Studies on the pathogenicity of group A streptococci. II. The antiphagocytic effects of the M protein and the capsular gel. J Exp Med. 1959 Oct 1;110:617–628. doi: 10.1084/jem.110.4.617. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- HIRSCH J. G. Phagocytin: a bactericidal substance from polymorphonuclear leucocytes. J Exp Med. 1956 May 1;103(5):589–611. doi: 10.1084/jem.103.5.589. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kass E. H., Seastone C. V. THE ROLE OF THE MUCOID POLYSACCHARIDE (HYALURONIC ACID) IN THE VIRULENCE OF GROUP A HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI. J Exp Med. 1944 Mar 1;79(3):319–330. doi: 10.1084/jem.79.3.319. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kuttner A. G., Lenert T. F. THE OCCURRENCE OF BACTERIOSTATIC PROPERTIES IN THE BLOOD OF PATIENTS AFTER RECOVERY FROM STREPTOCOCCAL PHARYNGITIS. J Clin Invest. 1944 Mar;23(2):151–161. doi: 10.1172/JCI101478. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- MORRIS M., SEASTONE C. V. The relationship of M protein and resistance to phagocytosis in the beta hemolytic streptococci. J Bacteriol. 1955 Feb;69(2):195–203. doi: 10.1128/jb.69.2.195-203.1955. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- ROTHBARD S. Protective effect of hyaluronidase and type-specific anti-M serum on experimental group A streptococcus infection in mice. J Exp Med. 1948 Sep 1;88(3):325–342. doi: 10.1084/jem.88.3.325. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Rothbard S. BACTERIOSTATIC EFFECT OF HUMAN SERA ON GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI : II. COMPARATIVE BACTERIOSTATIC EFFECT OF NORMAL WHOLE BLOOD FROM DIFFERENT ANIMAL SPECIES IN THE PRESENCE OF HUMAN CONVALESCENT SERA. J Exp Med. 1945 Aug 1;82(2):107–118. doi: 10.1084/jem.82.2.107. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- STOLLERMAN G. H., KANTOR F. S., GORDON B. D. Accessory plasma factors involved in the bactericidal test for type-specific antibody to group A streptococci. I. A typical behavior of some human and rabbit bloods. J Exp Med. 1958 Oct 1;108(4):475–491. doi: 10.1084/jem.108.4.475. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WILSON A. T., WILEY G. G., BRUNO P. Fate of non-virulent group A streptococci phagocytized by human and mouse neutrophils. J Exp Med. 1957 Dec 1;106(6):777–786. doi: 10.1084/jem.106.6.777. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]