LYSOSOMAL ENZYME-ACTIVITY IN PULMONARY ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES FROM CONVENTIONAL, GERM-FREE, MONOASSOCIATED, AND CONVENTIONALIZED RATS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (6) , 497-505
Abstract
Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) were harvested from conventional (CONV), germfree (GF), conventionalized and monoassociated (MA) rats. GF rats had significantly fewer PAM than did their CONV, conventionalized or MA counterparts. The bronchopulmonary wash from the CONV and conventionalized rats contained higher lysosomal specific activity for .beta.-glucuronidase and cathepsin D than did similar washes from GF rats. Cellular and subcellular PAM fractions from GF rats also showed decreased enzyme activity in comparison with similar fractions from the PAM of CONV rats. Colonization of GF rats with 1 (MA) or more bacterial species (conventionalized) increased the .beta.-glucoronidase and cathepsin D activity of their PAM as well as total PAM. Evidently, the intestinal flora not only enhances PAM proliferation but also is associated with an increase in their lysosomal enzyme activity.

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