Neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae (VCN) was used to treat sheep red blood cells (SRBC) which were then incubated in vitro with murine peritoneal macrophages. The uptake of VCN-treated SRBC by macrophages was greater than the uptake of SRBC not treated with VCN. SRBC opsonized with normal mouse serum (NMS) were taken up to a greater extent than untreated SRBC. SRBC treated with VCN and opsonized with NMS were phagocytosed to a greater extent than untreated SRBC, VCN-treated SRBC, or opsonized SRBC. Evidence demonstrated that factors in serum from normal C3H/HeJ mice augmented the uptake of VCN-treated SRBC in greater amounts than of normal SRBC. These findings were discussed in relation to the increased immunogenicity of neuraminidase-treated cells.
Animals Epitopes