Scanning electron microscopic observations of early stages of phagocytosis of E. coli by human neutrophils

BD-2 and BD-3 increase skin flap survival in a model of ischemia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

The main aim of this work was to study the usefulness of human β-defensins 2 (BD-2) and 3 (BD-3), which are part of the innate immune system, in the treatment of infected ischemic skin flaps. We investigated the effect of transducing rat ischemic skin flaps with lentiviral vectors encoding human BD-2, BD-3, or both BD-2 and BD-3, to increase flap survival in the context of a P. aeruginosa infection associated with a foreign body. The secondary endpoints assessed were: bacterial counts, and biofilm formation on the surface of the foreign body. A local ischemic environment was created by producing arterialized venous flaps in the left epigastric region of rats. Flaps were intentionally infected by placing underneath them two catheters with 105 CFU of P. aeruginosa before the surgical wounds were hermetically closed. Flap biopsies were performed 3 and 7 days post-operatively, and the specimens submitted to immunohistochemical analysis for BD-2 and BD-3, as well as to bacterial quantification. Subsequently, the catheter segments were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Flaps transduced with BD-2 and BD-3 showed expression of these defensins and presented increased flap survival. Rats transduced with BD-3 presented a net reduction in the number of P. aeruginosa on the surface of the foreign body and lesser biofilm formation.

Interactions between polymorphonuclear leukocytes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms on silicone implants in vivo

Chronic infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa persist because the bacterium forms biofilms that are tolerant to antibiotic treatment and the host immune response. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to visualize biofilm development in vivo following intraperitoneal inoculation of mice with bacteria growing on hollow silicone tubes, as well as to examine the interaction between these bacteria and the host innate immune response. Wild-type P. aeruginosa developed biofilms within 1 day that trapped and caused visible cavities in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In contrast, the number of cells of a P. aeruginosa rhlA mutant that cannot produce rhamnolipids was significantly reduced on the implants by day 1, and the bacteria were actively phagocytosed by infiltrating PMNs. In addition, we identified extracellular wire-like structures around the bacteria and PMNs, which we found to consist of DNA and other polymers. Here we present a novel method to study a pathogen-host interaction in detail. The data presented provide the first direct, high-resolution visualization of the failure of PMNs to protect against bacterial biofilms.

The early dynamic response of the calf ileal epithelium to Salmonella typhimurium

Ileal loops including Peyer's patch were prepared in five 28-day-old calves and infused Salmonella typhimurium strain ST4/74. Loops were fixed 5 minutes to 2 hours after inoculation, and the mucosa was examined by light and electron microscopy. Within 5 minutes, the bacteria were interacting with the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE); the surface of M cells changed to lamellipodia, engulfing many bacteria. This process proceeded rapidly to 30 minutes, involving most M cells above crypt level. Most cells were exfoliated, and many were packed with bacteria, and the domed villi became stunted. There was a rapid migration of neutrophils through the FAE into the lumen by 15 minutes. By 60 minutes, there was no further interaction between the bacteria and the FAE; at this time bacteria were present in macrophages in the lamina propria. Restitution of the FAE was complete by 2 hours in spite of the many bacteria in the cell debris overlying the epithelium. Interaction of bacteria with the absorptive villi was delayed compared with interaction with the FAE. After 15 minutes, bacteria were seen adhering to some enterocytes of the upper third of the villi; many bacteria were adhering to the surface of the enterocytes at 20 and 30 minutes, but few were seen thereafter. Adherence was patchy and largely confined to cells whose surfaces were depressed relative to others. The microvillous surface of these enterocytes was extensively remodelled. Tissue response, with uptake of bacteria into vacuoles, exfoliation of enterocytes containing bacteria, and subsequent stunting of the villi, began at 30 minutes and was severe and progressive to 2 hours. Following the initial attachment and uptake of the bacteria loss of enterocytes progressed from these initial sites; bacteria were associated with the lateral cell membrane of cells adjacent to cells being extruded and not with the microvilli of cells at new sites. In a calf 4 hours after dosing orally with the same strain, M cells were engulfing bacteria and their cell surface was changed as seen in the inoculated loops; absorptive enterocytes were also taking up bacteria as seen in the ileal loops, indicating the process seen in the loops and after oral dosage was similar. For this strain of S typhimurium, there was an initial concentration of bacilli around the domed villus epithelium. This distribution was not random but may have resulted from a specific attraction to the FAE.

Factors influencing phagocytic response of macrophages from the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.): an ultrastructural and quantitative study

BACKGROUND

Although phagocytosis is considered the main nonspecific defense mechanism in fish, the significance of the influence of bacterial properties and assay conditions on this mechanism has not been established. We report the influence of leukocyte source, bacterial species, presence or absence of a bacterial wall, bacterial status (live or dead), and bacterial opsonization on in vitro phagocytosis by sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) macrophages.

METHODS

Leukocytes were challenged with bacteria under different conditions and ultrastructurally studied. The number of phagocytic macrophages and the number of bacteria ingested per macrophage were quantified by microscopical counting, and the data obtained were statistically analyzed following general linear models.

RESULTS

Macrophages from sea bass peritoneal exudate showed a greater capacity to engulf bacteria than did those isolated from blood, which, in turn, had greater engulfment properties than did those isolated from head-kidney. Greater phagocytic activity was observed in the assays carried out with Escherichia coli than in those carried out with Salmonella typhimurium, especially when the TA1950 S. typhimurium strain (with wall) was used. Macrophages showed greater phagocytic activity against live bacteria. Bacterial opsonization had a variable effect on phagocytosis. Sea bass macrophages did not always ingest the same number of bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Sea bass macrophages have strong bacterial phagocytic activity. Significant differences were found that had been influenced by bacterial properties as well as by assay conditions. Positive correlation between the number of phagocytic macrophages and the number of bacteria ingested per phagocyte was observed.

Phagocytic defence mechanism in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.): an ultrastructural study

BACKGROUND

The ultrastructure of the phagocytic process in fish has not been established in spite of the significant morphofunctional differences detected in the fish immune system with respect to the basic immunological pattern in vertebrates. We report the ultrastructure of the bacterial phagocytic defence mechanism in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.).

METHODS

Head-kidney, blood, and peritoneal exudate leukocytes were challenged with Aeromonas salmonicida and Escherichia coli and processed for transmission electron microscopic study.

RESULTS

Macrophages challenged with bacteria showed changes in the cell outline, in the chromatin pattern, and in the ultrastructural features of the cytoplasm as a consequence of an activation process. The phagocytic process consists of the following: 1) Bacteria-macrophage contact. One or more spot contacts between the bacterial wall and the phagocyte membrane are observed. 2) Bacteria engulfment. Slight depressions, membrane invaginations, or cytoplasmic processes are formed at the phagocyte surface. Macrophage processes occasionally surround the bacteria, overlapping and roaming parallel, or a single, long pseudopod encircles a bacterium several times. 3) Endocytic vesicle formation. Macrophages show one or more bacteria inside membrane-bound cytoplasmic vesicles. 4) Phagolysosome formation. Some dense granules (lysosomes) fuse with the endocytic vesicle. 5) Intracellular killing/digestion. Bacteria inside the endocytic vesicles are observed both virtually intact or damaged at different digestion stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Sea bass macrophages possess the mechanisms necessary to both engulf and kill bacteria. Cellular and subcellular events in the morphology of phagocytosis and lysosomal dissolution of bacteria fit the general pattern described for mammals.

High voltage immunoelectron microscopy of complement receptor type 3-mediated capping and internalization of group A streptococcal cell walls by human neutrophils

The mechanism of human neutrophil clearance of peptidoglycan group A-specific polysaccharide polymers derived from streptococcal cell walls (PG-APS) was investigated by high voltage immunoelectron microscopy (HVEM) in order to determine how neutrophils process this highly inflammatory bacterial debris. Neutrophil monolayers were incubated from 5-30 min with serum-opsonized PG-APS. Cells were lightly fixed with 0.5% glutaraldehyde, and the PG-APS was localized on the neutrophil surface by immunogold using antibodies to N-acetyl-glucosamine and 15 nm colloidal gold coupled to goat anti-rabbit IgG. Neutrophils were viewed unsectioned by stereo HVEM. Patches of PG-APS were distributed randomly on the plasmalemma of well-spread neutrophils within 5 min. In polarized cells, PG-APS was densely localized on the uropod and retraction fibers. Within 15 min, PG-APS was predominantly concentrated into a large aggregate, measuring approximately 1 micron in diameter, near the cell margin or nucleus. The aggregate of PG-APS was engulfed in the vicinity of the indentation of the nucleus (hof). Intact microfilaments were required for aggregation and internalization of PG-APS. Binding of PG-APS was dependent upon complement fixation. Furthermore, PG-APS elicited an increase in density of complement receptor type 3 (CR3, C3bi receptor) on the neutrophil surface as determined by morphometry of immunogold labeled anti-CR3. When cells were stained for both PG-APS and CR3, co-localization was observed, and stereomicroscopy revealed clusters of CR3 in areas associated with phagocytosis. These data suggest that neutrophils use an efficient mechanism for removal of bacterial debris. Unlike whole streptococci which are phagocytosed at multiple sites, these bacterial cell walls are first collected into a large aggregate, or cap, which is then internalized at one site.

Scanning electron microscopy of rheumatoid arthritis peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) were isolated from six normal individuals and from 27 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by the Ficoll-Hypaque rapid single step centrifugation technique, fixed in suspension, and examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, four of the preparations from normal individuals and eight from patients with RA were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Most PMNs in preparations from normal subjects were spherical, unpolarised, and had their surface membrane elaborated into irregular ridges and small ruffles; they contained few phagocytic vacuoles and large numbers of electron dense primary and secondary granules. A minority of the cells were non-spherical, polarised, and had portions of their surface membrane elaborated into ruffled pseudopodia. In contrast, preparations of RA PMNs frequently contained fewer unpolarised PMNs and a higher number of polarised PMNs than did preparations of normal PMNs. Some preparations of RA PMNs also contained substantial numbers of spherical cells whose surface was covered mainly by bulges and blebs. Concurrent examination by TEM showed that RA PMNs frequently contained more phagocytic vacuoles and fewer electron dense primary and secondary granules than normal PMNs. The morphological and ultrastructural changes seen in RA PMNs resembled those which normal PMNs are known to undergo on exposure to C5a in vitro, during adherence to endothelial cells in vivo, or during phagocytosis in vivo or in vitro. Our observations, therefore, provide a useful morphological correlation to those in vitro studies in which differences in the functional activity of RA and normal PMNs have been shown. The possibility that the difference seen between RA and normal PMNs is artefactual and does not represent the genuine in vivo states of these cells is discussed.

A tannic acid based preparation procedure which enables leucocytes to be examined subsequently by either SEM or TEM

A modification of the glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide-tannic acid-uranyl acetate (GOTU) fixation procedure is described which allows human leucocytes to be examined subsequently by either transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Relationship between ultrastructure and specific functions of macrophages

The main function of the macrophages, which is to ingest and degrade any foreign molecules or particles penetrating the organism, appears in the development of the different structures implicated in endocytic activity. The macrophage's high endocytic property first appears in its irregular shape and the large number of extensions of the cell membrane, allowing the rapid capture of extra-cellular material. Adhesion between macrophage cell surface and molecules or particles is greatly enhanced by the presence of varied kinds of receptors: lectin-like receptors which bind specific sugars or highly specific receptors such as Fc and C3b receptors, which increase phagocytosis of opsonized microbes. The microbicidal properties reside in part in the production of superoxide anions which result from the activity of a NAD(P)H oxidase. This enzyme is located in the plasma membrane. Its activity could be demonstrated with a cytochemical method, on the cell surface and along the phagosome membrane. It is, however, very weak in resident macrophages and increases after stimulation or activation. The second kind of bactericidal property corresponds to cationic proteins located in lysosomes. After fusion between lysosomes and phagosomes, they contribute to microbe killing by permeabilizing microbe envelopes. Lysosomes, which contain diverse acid hydrolases and are responsible for the degradation of ingested material, play a crucial role in macrophage endocytic activity. Their number increases in parallel with endocytic activity during macrophage differentiation and is particularly high after ingestion of degradable material. Contrary to polymorphonuclear leukocytes, macrophage is very poor in granules containing peroxidase. The latter, which are rather abundant in monocytes, disappear during macrophage maturation. They do not seem thus to be implicated in macrophage microbicidal activity. Endocytosis is accompanied by rapid and intense exchanges between the different membrane compartments of the cell (plasma membrane, pinosomes or phagosomes, endosomes, lysosomes, Golgi apparatus, etc.). These exchanges seem to occur by transitory fusions between vesicles coming from different compartments, rapidly followed by their recycling to their original compartment. This system of membrane shuttle has been clearly observed after formation of phagosomes or pinosomes in which the internalized plasma membrane is recycled back to the cell surface within a few minutes after their formation. This membrane traffic is especially intense in macrophages, the endocytic activity of which is very high, but it also exists in all cell types.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the phagocytosis of Treponema denticola and Escherichia coli by human neutrophils in vitro

In the present in vitro study, scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that human neutrophils are able to phagocytize Treponema denticola cells. Two major modes of particle engulfment were detected, both of which seemed unaffected by opsonization or atmosphere (aerobic or anaerobic). The occasional finding of rather intact treponemes as long as 2 h after onset of the phagocytosis experiment, suggested that digestion could be a relatively slow process. Expulsion of digested material from the phagolysosomes to the extracellular space seemed to occur via channel-like structures in the neutrophil cytoplasm.