Opsonized streptococcal cell walls cross-link human leukocytes and erythrocytes by complement receptors.
Serum-opsonized group A streptococcal cell walls, consisting of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers (PG-APS), induced monolayers of human neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils to aggregate. When erythrocytes were present in the incubation medium, they also were associated with the leukocyte aggregates. By immunofluorescence staining, PG-APS was localized at the site of cell-to-cell contact. By scanning electron microscopy the cells appeared to adhere to one another by surface contact; filopodia often acted as connectors, particularly in leukocyte-erythrocyte interaction. Cellular binding of PG-APS and aggregation were dependent upon C3 fixation. No aggregation was observed when heat-inactivated serum was used as an opsonin. In contrast to peptidoglycan, an activator of the alternative complement pathway, the group-specific polysaccharide moiety of PG-APS induced no cellular aggregation. Rosette formation was observed in suspensions when neutrophils were incubated with erythrocytes coated with C3b-opsonized PG-APS. Cell monolayers bound serum-opsonized PG-APS, but aggregation was observed only when serum was present in the incubation medium. Similar results were obtained with C5-deficient serum. No aggregation was observed with heat-inactivated serum or bovine serum albumin. A heat-labile serum component(s) appears to be required to elicit leukocyte aggregation. It is suggested that C3 fixed to PG-APS acts as a bridge to link cells together in clusters as a result of common recognition of C3 by leukocyte and erythrocyte complement receptors.
D000818:Animals; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002450:Cell Communication; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000276:immunology; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000032:analysis; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000276:immunology*; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013291:Streptococcus
D003176:Complement C3; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D011951:Receptors, Complement