Paton, J.Ferrante, A.2014-10-012014-10-011983Infection and Immunity, 1983; 41(3):1212-12160019-95671098-5522http://hdl.handle.net/2440/85784The in vitro effects of pneumolysin, a sulfhydryl-activated toxin produced by Streptococcus pneumoniae, on various functions of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) was investigated. Treatment of PMNLs with highly purified toxin significantly inhibited respiratory burst (in response to stimulation), ability to kill opsonized pneumococci, chemotaxis, and random migration. These inhibitions were observed at very low toxin doses (less than or equal to 1 hemolytic unit (2 ng) per 10(6) PMNLs), which had no effect on PMNL viability. These results suggest that pneumolysin could function in pathogenicity by interfering with the ability of PMNLs to migrate toward and kill pneumococci.en© 1983, American Society for MicrobiologyNeutrophilsHumansHydrogen PeroxideBacterial ProteinsStreptolysinsCell Migration InhibitionChemotaxis, LeukocytePhagocytosisOxygen ConsumptionDose-Response Relationship, DrugJournal article003000895610.1128/iai.41.3.1212-1216.1983A1983RE611000462-s2.0-0020558325107610Paton, J. [0000-0001-9807-5278]Ferrante, A. [0000-0002-2581-6407]