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Phagocytic activities in neonatal monocytes

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Abstract

Monocytes play an essential role in cellular host defense as circulating phagocytes, as well as precursors of macrophages. We investigated the principal phagocytic activities in monocytes from cord blood of term infants by analysing adherence, random migration, chemotaxis, bactericidal activity, phagocytosis-associated chemiluminescence, production of superoxide anion (O −2 ) and generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). All phagocytic functions of monocytes from neonates were shown quantitatively to be comparable to those of cells from healthy adult volunteers. The increased susceptibility of the human neonate to serious systemic infections cannot be related to an abnormality in monocyte function.

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Abbreviations

FMLP:

formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanin

PMA:

phorbol myristate acetate

CL:

chemiluminescence

O2 :

superoxide anion

H2O2 :

hydrogen peroxide

CGD:

chronic granulomatous disease

HBSS:

Hank's balanced salt solution

HSA:

human serum albumin

SOD:

superoxide dismutase

KRP-D:

Krebs Ringer phosphate buffer with dextrose

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, D-3400, Göttingen, Germany

    Ch. P. Speer, M. Wieland & M. Gahr

  2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Göttingen, Humboldtallee 38, D-3400, Göttingen, Germany

    R. Ulbrich

Authors
  1. Ch. P. Speer
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  2. M. Wieland
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  3. R. Ulbrich
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  4. M. Gahr
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Speer, C.P., Wieland, M., Ulbrich, R. et al. Phagocytic activities in neonatal monocytes. Eur J Pediatr 145, 418–421 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00439252

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00439252

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