NEUTROPHIL PHAGOCYTOSIS OF TREPONEMA DENTICOLA AS INDICATED BY EXTRACELLULAR RELEASE OF LACTOFERRIN

Lysosomal enzyme release from viable human neutrophils occurs during phagocytic activity in vivo. Phagocytosis of a strain of T.denticola, an oral spirochete, was indicated by the finding of lactoferrin in the extracellular medium of neutrophils challenged with this organism. The extracellular release of lactoferrin was dependent on duration of bacterial challenge, but peak concentration appeared at a later stage than seen in phagocytosis experiments with Escherichia coli, which served as a control. Neutrophil phagocytosis of T.denticola may be of importance as a defence factor in periodontal disease.