The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 34, Issue 5 285-293, Copyright © 1991 by Society for General Microbiology
Stimulation by gonococci of chloride ion uptake in human leucocytes in relation to other properties of phagocytosis
A. Sukhan and G. M. Wiseman
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba Medical School, Winnipeg, Canada.
Human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) underwent several changes in
response to challenge with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, namely (1) an increase in
oxygen uptake, (2) changes in membrane electrical properties, and (3)
increased transport of chloride ions (Cl-) across the membrane. Mean oxygen
consumption and Cl- uptake by PMNL were stimulated by both pilate (P+) and
non-pilate (P-) gonococci, although the levels were much reduced in the
presence of P+ organisms. P+ gonococci also initiated low levels of
polarisation or depolarisation in contrast with P- cells, which caused
hyperpolarisation followed by depolarisation in the PMNL. Most of the
strains showed these patterns. High performance liquid chromatography of
extracts of unstimulated PMNL and of PMNL challenged with gonococci
confirmed production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in the leucocyte.
Furthermore, addition of radiolabelled Cl- to the PMNLs showed that some of
the Cl- taken up by the cells in response to gonococcal challenge was
incorporated into the HOCl, suggesting a direct relationship between
stimulation of Cl- uptake and production of active chlorine compounds in
the leucocyte.
