Phagocyte recognition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Human monocytes show an increased ability to bind pilate rather than non-pilate gonococci. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) do not discriminate between pilate and non-pilate variants. PMN, however, bind appreciably more gonococci (either pilate or non-pilate) than monocytes. The results help to explain the role of pili on gonococci as virulence factors and in the immune response.
D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000276:immunology*