[Antiphagocytic activity of sera treated with organic solvents (chloroform, ether)].

The opsonization of C. albicans by means of sera treated with chloroform and ethyl ether resulted in significantly decreased values of PMN leucocyte phagocytic activity. In contrast to ethyl ether treated sera (decrease of phagocytic activity about 45%), chloroform processed sera possessed increased antiphagocytic activity (decrease of phagocytic activity about 63%).

[Antiphagocytic activity of human amniotic fluid].

The preincubation of PMN leukocytes in amniotic fluid obtained at the end of the gestation period resulted in decreased values of phagocytic activity (about 37%), phagocytic index (about 21.5%) and mainly of the candidacidal capacity to C. albicans (about 72%).

In vitro effects of organic solvents on immunity indicators in serum.

Serum treatment in vitro with organic solvents (chloroform, ether, toluene) failed to produce an effect on immunoglobulin levels and activity. After chloroform and ether treatment, no complement activity could be determined, with chloroform-treated serum beginning to express anticomplement activity against autologous, allogenic and xenogenic sera. The classical pathway of complement activation (C1, C4, C2, C3) was primarily inhibited, whereas the alternative pathway remained unaffected.

Interaction of intracellular proteases and immune mechanisms.

Intracellular proteases play an important role both in nonspecific and specific immune reactions. Results concerning the interaction of these enzymes with phagocytic factors responsible for killing microorganisms are presented. In inflammatory foci, proteases released from destroyed leukocytes have been found to modify the function of antibodies present.