RESPIRATORY BURST OF HUMAN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES IN RESPONSE TO THE GALACTOSIDE-SPECIFIC MISTLETOE LECTIN

The phagocytic activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) towards Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 was evaluated in chemiluminescen ce assays. As to check its activating ability, galactoside-specific mi stletoe lectin (ML-1) was coincubated with PMNLs which were then chall enged with S. aureus. Statistically significant (p < 0.001) chemilumin escent response (correlating with phagocytic activity) could be demons trated at optimal experimental condition, viz: 1 x 10(6) PMNLs incubat ed with 0.005 ng ML-1 for 30 and 60 minutes before S. aureus challenge . Other experimental schedules (different timing and PMNL/ML-1 concent rations) did not present with statistically relevant changes in chemil uminescent response. These studies suggest that optimal ML-1 concentra tions enhance the phagocytic activity of PMNLs which might be of benef it in thus treated patients as to prevent (or lower the rate of) infec tions under antineoplastic therapy.