Phagocytosis and binding via complement receptors by salivary polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Modulation by saliva and gingival exudate.

The ability of oral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to phagocytose Candida albicans cells and bind Salmonella typhi via complement receptors was investigated. A significantly higher percent of oral PMNs could phagocytose and bind via complement receptors as compared to peripheral blood PMNs. While treatment of peripheral blood PMNs with the donor's saliva caused an increase in the number of complement-receptor bearing cells, as well as a partial increase in phagocytosis, PMNs treated with gingival crevicular fluid (CF) showed a decrease both in phagocytosis and binding. The complexity of environmental conditions and factors, and its role in PMN functions in inflammatory sites is discussed.