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. 1975 Mar;11(3):540–550. doi: 10.1128/iai.11.3.540-550.1975

Opsonin-reversible resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to in vitro phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages.

D A Powell, W A Clyde Jr
PMCID: PMC415099  PMID: 1090535

Abstract

Several species of mycoplasmas are responsible for respiratory disease in animals and man. As yet, little is known about the interaction of these pathogens with alveolar macrophages, one of the primary components of pulmonary resistance to infections. The present study was undertaken to develop an in vitro model to examine this organism-cell interaction, using a human pathogen, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and normal guinea pig alveolar macrophages. During a 24-h incubation of M. pneumoniae with a monolayer of macrophages, mycoplasmas were found to attach directly to the surface of the cells without inducing significant phagocytosis. Ultrastructurally, the organisms appeared bound to the cell membrane by their characteristic attachment organelles. Only after the addition of specific anti-mycoplasma serum were cells able to engulf attached and surrounding organisms. These data suggest that the interaction of M. pneumoniae and alveolar macrophages is a potentially important aspect of disease pathogenesis, and immune factors which might alter this interaction merit further examination.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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