Trichophyton rubrumand the chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Abstract

In experiments with a Boyden-type chamber, both the cell wall and a cytoplasmic extract of Trichophyton rubrum acted as chemotaxigens for polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the production of neutrophil chemotactic factor from plasma. Activation of complement by the cytoplasmic extract to produce neutrophil chemotactic factor is shown to be predominantly through the alternative pathway and the cytoplasmic extract mimics the activity of the complementary system.In the acute inflammatory response of the skin to the zoophilic dermatophytes Trichophyton verrucosum and T. mentagrophytes the occurrence of pustules is a conspicuous clinical feature. When the skin is infected with the anthropophilic species T. rubrum, few or no pustules develop. Infections with zoophilic dermatophytes tend to clear spontaneously, whilst if untreated those due to T. rubrum tend to become chronic. In the acute inflammatory response the first cells to be mobilized are the polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes and the purpose of the present paper is to report investigations into the chemotaxis of PMN leucocytes towards preparations from the dermatophyte T. rubrum. METHODSThe Boyden [3] method was as previously described [5] save that use of siliconized glassware and a liquid paraffin seal during the preparation of the PMN was omitted. Cytoplasmic extract of T. rubrum (CETr)After growth on Sabouraud's dextrose broth (Bacto-peptone, 10 g 1-~; glucose, 40 g 1-~) for 3 weeks at 300C, the mycelial pellicles were teased into small portions and smashed with glass beads of 0-45 mm diameter in an MSK Braun mill (F.T.

Ultrastructural Alterations In The Epidermis Of Patients With Tinea Pedis

“…Furthermore, we observed migration of lymphocytes and PNL's between keratinocytes in stratum spinosum. A variety of mechanisms, such as complement activation by the alternative pathway and lowmolecular-weight chemotactic factor production, have been described to elucidate the mechanisms by which infl ammatory cells are attracted to the sites of cutaneous fungal infection (7,8,11,17,23,24). Our ultrastructural observation of migration of leucocytes is also consistent with the light microscopic fi ndings of epidermal lymphohistiocytic infi ltration frequently encountered in spongiotic dermatitis (8).…”

Immunology of Diseases Associated withMalasseziaSpecies

“…Phagocytic cells may then attack organisms by using either oxidative or nonoxidative mechanisms, leading to their removal (454). Several organisms, including dermatophytes, Candida species, and propionibacteria, activate the alternative pathway of the complement cascade, causing the production of molecules with chemotactic activity for neutrophils (106,353,462). In this way, neutrophils may be recruited into the skin by the presence of microorganisms.…”

Enzymic activities ofTrichophyton rubrumand the chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leucocytes

“…In experiments with a Boyden-type chamber a cytoplasmic extract of Trichophyton rubrum (CETr) induced a plasma-dependent chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) [8]. Although no chemotaxis occured in the absence of plasma, chemotaxis was induced with use of CETr and plasma in which the complement had been inactivated by heat and it was concluded that CETr mimics the activity of the complement system in the production of neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF).…”

“…The results are discussed in relation to reports on the importance of serine esterases in PMN chemotaxis. The failure of PMNs to migrate into keratinized tissue infected with T. rubrum is noted and it is suggested that the high enzymic activities necessary for the colonization of keratinized tissue effect a breakdown of NCF.In experiments with a Boyden-type chamber a cytoplasmic extract of Trichophyton rubrum (CETr) induced a plasma-dependent chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) [8]. Although no chemotaxis occured in the absence of plasma, chemotaxis was induced with use of CETr and plasma in which the complement had been inactivated by heat and it was concluded that CETr mimics the activity of the complement system in the production of neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF).…”