PubMed · 2466776
Salmonella, complement and mouse macrophages.
Abstract
The structure of the polysaccharide chains that constitute the O antigen on the surface of Salmonella bacteria determines the rate of complement activation and C3b deposition on the bacteria. A fast-activating O antigen causes rapid C3-dependent opsonization of the bacteria injected intraperitoneally; as a consequence, the bacteria are taken up and killed by the resident peritoneal macrophages, and their virulence is low. A slow-activating O antigen protects the bacteria from opsonization in the peritoneal cavity, and is associated with higher virulence. However, if injected intravenously bacteria with either O-antigenic type are equally virulent; in the high complement concentration of the blood they become opsonized and taken up by macrophages in the liver and spleen, which are unable to kill them but instead provide a protected site for multiplication.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
P H Mäkelä, M Hovi, H Saxén, M Valtonen, V Valtonen. 1988. Salmonella, complement and mouse macrophages.. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-2478(88)90145-9
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.