Abstract
Uptake by mouse polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) of piliated (P+) and non-piliated (P-) bacteria of Corynebacterium renale strain No.115 was studied. P+ bacteria were significantly less phagocytized than P- bacteria by PMNs in the absence of opsonins, in the presence of 5% complement alone, and in the presence of either anti-pili serum alone, anti-P+ bacteria serum alone or anti-P- bacteria serum alone. Uptake of P+ bacteria was enhanced and became nearly equal to P- bacteria in the presence of anti-pili serum plus complement and in the presence of anti-P+ bacteria serum plus complement. The anti-pili monoclonal antibodies 16/5 and 13/4 were opsonic, regardless of the pressence of complement, for P+ but not P- bacteria, but there was less effect than that of anti-pili polyclonal antibody plus complement. Uptake of P- bacteria in the presence of opsonins was similar to that in the absence of opsonins.
