[The efficiency of the bactericidal action of serum raised by complement and lysozyme against bacteria which avoid the immunological response of higher organisms].
This paper presents some processes of the antibacterial effect of serum, which mainly results from the activities of complement (C) and lysozyme (muramidase, LZ). The C system consists ofa group of serum proteins and tissue fluids which are activated in a particular order. Complement,operating together with lysozyme, constitutes the main protection from microorganisms entering the body. Pathogenic microorganisms are able to avoid natural protective mechanisms by, among others, molecular mimicry, binding complement control proteins, or secreting proteolytic enzymes.The effectiveness of the cytolytic action of C proteins and LZ also depends on the surface structures of the microorganisms. Imbalance between the activation and deactivation of inflammatory reactions in the presence of pathogens can lead to various pathological states, such as autoimmunological diseases.
Zakład Mikrobiologii, Instytut Genetyki i Mikrobiologii, Uniwersytet Wrocławski, 51-148 Wrocław. bozena@microb.uni.wroc.pl
Bozena
B
Futoma-Kołoch
Gabriela
G
Bugla-Płoskońska
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity / Q000276:immunology*; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D009113:Muramidase / Q000276:immunology*; D044967:Serum / Q000276:immunology*
D003165:Complement System Proteins; D009113:Muramidase