LYSOSOMAL ENZYMES AND MICROBICIDAL CAPACITY OF ACTIVATED MACROPHAGE

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 22  (87) , 27-34
Abstract
A relation was sought between acid phosphatase contents and the presence of tubercle bacilli inside the peritoneal exudate calls (PEC) of normal guinea pigs and those immunized with BCG. The role lysosomal enzymes play in the microbicidal capacity of the cell was investigated. In normal and immune animals tubercle bacilli were present only in those PEC that contained acid phosphatase. Cells without acid phosphatase did not contain bacilli. Only activated cells ingested bacilli. Macrophage activation, as indicated by the presence of acid phosphatase, was not related to the immune status of the animal. Stimulation by ingestion of tubercle bacilli was not significant. The number of acid phosphatase grains/cell did not influence the number of bacilli/cell. The acid phosphatase content of the cell did not correlate with the number of bacilli inside the cell. Acid phosphatase may not be one of the factors that contribute to the microbicidal capacity of the cell.

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