title: Granulocyte functions and Neisseria meningitidis: influence of properdin-deficient serum.
abstract: Granulocyte-mediated reactions such as opsonization, chemotaxis, and release of granulocyte myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin were studied in properdin-deficient and normal human serum incubated with serogroup A and W-135 meningococci. There were no differences between the sera when serogroup A meningococci were studied. Opsonic and chemotactic activity were impaired against serogroup W-135 meningococci in properdin-deficient serum. Restitution with properdin restored both activities. We found similar release of myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin from granulocytes challenged with serogroup A or W-135 meningococci in either sera. These findings are in accordance with the clinical observations of meningococcal infections caused by serogroup W-135 in properdin-deficient patients as well as the absence of infections caused by serogroup A meningococci.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Söderström
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Braconier
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sjöholm
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thuresson
mesh_terms: D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011414:Properdin / Q000502:physiology*; D012703:Serotyping; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011414:Properdin