Yeast opsonization and phagocytosis studied by a visual assay and measurement of neutrophil chemiluminescence.
Yeast opsonization was examined by a visual phagocytic assay which identified intracellular particles by means of staining with reduced nitroblue tetrazolium, and by measurement of the chemiluminescent response of neutrophils to opsonized particles. With both assays optimal opsonization was dependent on the classical complement pathway at lower serum concentrations, however, alternative pathway activity alone was able to opsonic optimally at higher serum concentrations. Examination of the complement pathway and opsonic activity of sera from 17 children with atopic dermatitis revealed 2 subjects with defective alternative pathway lytic activity. There was no significant difference in the opsonic activity between atopic children and control subjects. This investigation does not confirm the suggestion that yeast opsonization is a common defect in atopic individuals and indicates yeast can be opsonized by both classical and alternative pathways.
D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008722:Methods; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D009895:Opsonin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D015003:Yeasts / Q000276:immunology*
D009895:Opsonin Proteins