title: Metabolic stimulation of polymorphonuclear leucocytes: effects of tetravalent and divalent concanavalin A.
abstract: Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) undergo a marked activation of their oxidative metabolism upon interaction with surface-reactive soluble stimuli as well as with phagocytosable objects. To get some insight into the mechanism of this stimulation, we have compared the stimulatory activity of the tetravalent lectin concanavalin A (Con A) with that of the divalent derivative succinyl-Con A (S-Con A). Both lectins bind to the PMNL surface to the same extent. S-Con A, however, is much less efficient in stimulating the PMNL metabolism. When S-Con A-treated PMNL are further reacted with antiserum to Con A, a potentiation of the metabolic stimulation is observed. Normal serum or addition to PMNL of antiserum to Con A in the absence of lectin has no effect. Furthermore, if S-Con A is displaced from its receptors on the cell membrane with alpha-methyl mannopyranoside, the addition of antiserum fails to cause a respiratory stimulation. These results suggest that the initial triggering of the metabolic stimulation of PMNL is in part accomplished through cross-linkage of membrane constituents.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011952:Receptors, Concanavalin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D011952:Receptors, Concanavalin A; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D003208:Concanavalin A