Abstract:
Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprophytic fungus responsible for 90% of
aspergillosis in humans. This study focused on the effect of diffusible
spore surface component(s) from Aspergillus fumigatus (termed AfD)
on the function of human neutrophils. Neutrophils are an important
first line of defence and have a short life-span that involves an
orchestrated process of migration, phagocytosis and killing. Human
neutrophils were treated with AfD and migration was assessed by the
ability of neutrophils to change shape (polarise) and transverse a
polycarbonate filter. Phagocytosis was measured by the ability of
neutrophils to ingest FITC-labeled E. coli and the respiratory burst
was measured by the release of superoxide anion. Further
investigations looked at AfD-induced programmed cell death (PCD).
Results showed AfD to reduce neutrophil polarisation (76±6%),
migration (57± 29%), phagocytosis (31±6%) and respiratory burst
(95±2%). AfD also induced PCD through a heat-sensitive
component(s); therefore, it is likely that the anti-inflammatory
properties are explained by the AfD-induced PCD. Furthermore, AfD
has heat-sensitive and heat-stable active compounds suggesting
multi-component activity.
2007
abstract No:
MI 18
Full conference title:
160th Society for General Microbiology
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- SGM 160th (2007)