Respiratory burst of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in response to the galactoside-specific mistletoe lectin.

The phagocytic activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) towards Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 was evaluated in chemiluminescence assays. As to check its activating ability, galactoside-specific mistletoe lectin (ML-1) was coincubated with PMNLs which were then challenged with S. aureus. Statistically significant (p < 0.001) chemiluminescent response (correlating with phagocytic activity) could be demonstrated at optimal experimental condition, viz: 1 x 10(6) PMNLs incubated with 0.005 ng ML-1 for 30 and 60 minutes before S. aureus challenge. Other experimental schedules (different timing and PMNL/ML-1 concentrations) did not present with statistically relevant changes in chemiluminescent response. These studies suggest that optimal ML-1 concentrations enhance the phagocytic activity of PMNLs which might be of benefit in thus treated patients as to prevent (or lower the rate of) infections under antineoplastic therapy.