Heterogeneity of human neutrophil phagolysosomes: functional consequences
for candidacidal activity
P Cech and RI Lehrer
Opsonized yeast phase Candida albicans, incubated with human neutrophils,
are internalized into two classes of phagosomes. One class, termed
"unsealed vacuoles," comprises approximately 40% of the total and maintains
functional communication to the cell's exterior that is sufficient to
permit ingress of dyes, such as trypan or methylene blue. The remaining
cell-associated yeasts are contained in "sealed vacuoles," completely
sequestered from the external milieu. Approximately 71.8% of C albicans
within sealed vacuoles are rendered nonviable within 60 minutes, whereas
only 14.5% of organisms within unsealed vacuoles are killed during this
time. We conclude that vacuolar sealing mechanisms are imperfectly
developed in normal human neutrophils and that incompletely sealed vacuoles
support antimicrobial processes substantially less well than do completely
sealed ones.
Volume 64,
Issue 1,
pp. 147-151,
07/01/1984
Copyright © 1984 by The American Society of Hematology
