Increased phagocytic activity of splenectomized mice challenged with Listeria monocytogenes.
Adult splenectomized mice exhibit increased resistance to infection with Listeria monocytogenes. Phagocytosis, by reticulo-endothelial cells, of test particles (51Cr-labelled sheep erythrocytes) is the same in splenectomized and control mice. However, 24 h exposure to Listeria, which fails to influence phagocytic activity of normal mice, greatly enhances the blood clearance and liver uptake of the test particles in splenectomized mice. The presence of a cell population and/or product in the spleen which modulates macrophage activation upon the exposure to appropriate stimuli is postulated.
D000818:Animals; D004912:Erythrocytes; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012157:Mononuclear Phagocyte System / Q000502:physiology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013156:Splenectomy