Interaction between Human Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes and Chlamydia trachomatis Elementary Bodies: Electron Microscopy and Chemiluminescent Response

Abstract

Incubation of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (HPMN) with highly purified Chlamydia trachomatis serotype L2/434/Bu elementary bodies (EB), in the presence and absence of specific antibody, resulted in a 10(3)-fold reduction of viable count after 24 h incubation. Electron microscopy observations indicated activation of the HPMN by the EB. Attachment of the EB to the HPMN cell membrane, formation of a cytoplasmic cup and EB-containing vacuoles were observed. In addition, two types of phagocytic vacuoles were observed after 30 min incubation; in one type, a single EB was tightly surrounded by the vacuolar membrane, while the other type was enlarged and held one or more intact EB or degenerated EB or both. A fuzzy coat was observed on EB located in the HPMN vacuoles only in the presence of specific antibody. Empty vacuoles containing degenerated EB were observed in the HPMN after 24 h incubation. HPMN exposed to EB of C. trachomatis produced a marked chemiluminescent response with a peak 14 times greater than the peak value of the control. A second stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and zymosan was achieved. The chemiluminescent peak value in the presence of heat-treated EB (56 degrees C, 20 min) was 50% of that obtained in the presence of untreated EB. The significance of the chemiluminescent response in the killing mechanism of C. trachomatis EB by HPMN is discussed.

Chlamydia Trachomatis (L2 Serovar) Can Be Bound, Ingested and Destroyed by Differentiated but Not by Undifferentiated Human Promyelocyte Cell Line HL-60

“…The mechanisms by which such cells protect against chlamydial infections are unclear. Our findings are in agreement with those of Zvillich & Sarov (1985) and Yong et al (1986), who described two types of EB-containing phagosomes in chlamydia-infected human PMNs: one appeared to contain a single intact EB while the other was larger, containing intact or degenerated EBs, or both. Yong et al (1982) also demonstrated complete inactivation of C. trachomatis (L2 serovar) as early as 30 min after incubation with human PMNs.…”

“…trachomatis (L2 serovar) to a subpopulation (20-30%) of human peripheral blood monocytes and to approximately 60-80% of human peripheral blood granulocytes . Furthermore, we have demonstrated that human peripheral blood monocytes do not permit chlamydial growth and that granulocytes destroy these bacteria after ingestion (Zvillich & Sarov, 1985;Yong et al, 1986). To define the ability of myeloid cells at different stages of development to interact with chlamydiae, we have analysed binding, ingestion and inhibition of growth of C. trachomatis (L2/434/Bu, LGV biovar) in human monocyte-li ke and granulocyte-li ke cells chemically induced from the same promyelocytic cell line, HL-60 (Rovera et al, 1979;Collins et al, 1978).…”

Alteration of chlamydia trachomatis biologic behavior in synovial membranes suppression of surface antigen production in reactive arthritis and reiter's syndrome

“…Positive IGS results for at least 2 chlamydial surface antigens, in at least 2 consecutive cuts of ultrathin sections, were required for organism identification. Ultrastructural characterization of chlamydial particles, as described in the literature (29)(30)(31)(32), was essential to recognition of these particles, in which IGS findings for the surface antigens were weak or negative.…”

Induction of DNA Strand Scissions in HeLa Cells by Human Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes Activated by Chlamydia trachomatis Elementary Bodies

“…It was further shown that elementary bodies (EB) of the L2 serovars of C. trachomatis could bind to HPMN (Bard & Levitt, 1986), be phagocytosed and inactivated by these cells (Yong et al, 1982;Zvillich & Sarov, 1985), activate complement and stimulate chemotaxis of HPMN in vitro (Megran et al, 1985), and induce a chemiluminescent response in the HPMN (Soderlund et al, 1984;Zvillich & Sarov, 1985).…”

“…EB of C. trachomatis biotype lymphogranuloma venereum (L2/434/Bu), were grown on BGM cells (Flow Laboratories) and purified 48-72 h post-infection by a modification of the method of Caldwell et al (1981) as previously described by Zvillich & Sarov (1985).…”