Lymphocyte-salmonella interaction: Energy dependence and thiol group involvement

In order to gain better insight into lymphocyte- Salmonella interaction investigation has been carried out on energy-dependence and involvement of thiol groups in this process by using a modified rosette test. Binding frequency, number of bound bacteria/number of binding lymphocytes and the number of bacteria-binding sites/lymphocyte were found to be enhanced by externally added ATP and decreased by both uncouplers and electron transfer chain inhibitors. Treatment of either bacteria or lymphocytes with thiol reagents, such as mersalyl or N-ethyl-maleimide, prevents lymphocyte- Salmonella adherence, thus showing the presence of thiol groups involved in the binding mechanism in both bacteria and cells. Consistently, as a result of mersalyl inhibition, a decrease in the number of bacteria-binding sites/lymphocyte was also found.