Priming of phagocytes by cytokines and water-soluble products of lipid peroxidation.

It is well known that during certain pathological processes phagocytes acquire the ability to generate activated oxygen species during phagocytosis. The priming of phagocytes by cytokines and water-soluble products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) is described. Preincubation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) with the water-soluble products of LPO or oxidised liposomes for 15-20 min at 37 degrees C enhanced their functional activity when they were stimulated by opsonised zymosan or latex particles.

Effect of oxidized phospholipids on the chemiluminescence of zymosan-activated leukocytes.

The effect of liposomes with different degree of oxidation on the zymosan-induced chemiluminescence (CL) of leukocytes was investigated. Non-oxidized liposomes did not influence significantly the CL response of leukocytes. In contrast previously oxidized liposomes increased CL even if liposomes and cells were separated by a dialysis membrane.