Phagocytosis in leprosy. 5. The effect of the infection with Mycobacterium lepraemurium on the level of diverse hydrolytic lysosomal enzymes of murine peritoneal macrophages

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Abstract

The effect of the infection with M. lepraemurium on the activity of several lysosomal enzymes of mouse peritoneal cells was studied. The enzymes studied were acid- and alkaline-phosphatases, acid (cathepsin D-type) proteinase, β-glucuronidase, deoxyribonuclease, a nonspecific lipase, and lysozyme. Enzyme determinations were carried out four months and six months after the infection with 15.5 x 107 bacilli per mouse. Clear differences between M. lepraemurium-infected and normal animals were observed at four months of infection, with all of the mentioned enzyme activities well above the normal values. At six months of infection, a tendency to decrease to normal values of the enzyme activities was observed. It is suggested that this biochemical activation of mouse peritoneal cells reflects the effect of the cell-mediated immune response triggered by the infection with the murine leprosy bacillus. M. lepraemurium-infected mice possess macrophages in a high state of biochemical activation; yet, they are unable to get rid of the infecting microorganism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)306-315
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Leprosy
Volume50
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1982

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