title: Analysis of the kinetics of natural killer cell activity in mice during an active infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
abstract: The present study was designed to determine the effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection on the activity of natural killer (NK) cells in mice. Following a sublethal injection of the bacterium, increased NK cell activity is evident as early as 24 h and peaks within 72 h, returning to normal levels by 168 h. Interestingly, the route by which PA was administered was very important with respect to increased NK activity. For example, the greatest augmentation of activity was seen in the peritoneal cavity when mice were injected intraperitoneally and in the spleen when injected intravenously. Peripheral blood leukocytes expressed the greatest augmentation in animals which received an intravenous injection of viable PA. In addition, a nonviable preparation of PA was used and found to significantly augment NK cell activity in a dose-dependent manner. To determine whether the presence of the organism is required for augmentation of NK activity, the rate at which PA is cleared from the animals was evaluated. Regardless of the route of injection, PA is effectively cleared within 24 h, thus eliminating the possibility that viable PA is required for augmentation of NK activity. This augmentation is proximal to the route of injection with little systemic effect seen. The data presented in this report illustrate that both viable and nonviable preparations of PA produce a significant increase in NK cell activity. This augmentation may suggest a role for these cells as effectors in natural resistance to infectious disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Ohio.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kearns
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D007700:Kinetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors