Effects of substance P on the spontaneous binding of Salmonella minnesota R345 (Rb) to human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

The effects of substance P (SP) on Salmonella minnesota R345 (Rb) binding to human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were evaluated. Two parameters of bacterial cytoadherence were considered, namely the binding lymphocytes (BL) and the number of bound-bacteria/lymphocyte (BB). The results showed that SP inhibits both BL and BB in a significant manner. Furthermore, distribution of Salmonella binding to CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes was studied following SP pretreatment of lymphoid cells. This neuropeptide is able to hamper the bacterial cytoadherence to both T-cell subpopulations and, in particular, the inhibitory effect on the T-suppressor/cytotoxic subset was more pronounced. These findings are discussed in terms of SP intervention in the mechanism of host protection against invading microorganisms.