The enhancement of phagocytosis and intra-cellular killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its common antigen (OEP) coated latex particles by mouse spleen macrophages to which anti-OEP-IgG and gentamicin have been added.

This experiment was performed using macrophages derived from mouse spleens immunized or non-immunized with the common antigen (OEP) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The phagocytosis of these macrophages of live or formalin killed Pseudomonas aeruginosa and latex particles coated with OEP were enhanced by the addition of anti-OEP-IgG, but not by immunoglobulin taken from normal mice. The macrophages from mice immunized with OEP showed significantly enhanced phagocytosis of latex particles coated with OEP, but not of live or killed bacteria. The effects of anti-OEP-IgG and gentamicin on phagocytosis and intracellular killing were compared in cases where only anti-OEP-IgG or only getamicin were used as well as in cases where the two were combined. It was found that the two combined was far more effective on phagocytosis and intracellular killing. Furthermore, there was little or no difference in the results depending on whether macrophages from mice immunized or non-immunized with OEP were used.