Interrelationship between serum beta-lysin, lysozyme, and the antibody-complement system in killing Escherichia coli.

The effects of different serum components alone and in conjunction with each other on Escherichia coli B were investigated. In general, the viability, turbidity, and electron microscope results were compatible with the following conclusions. The most efficient killing and destruction of E. coli B occurred when beta-lysin, lysozyme, and the antibody-complement system functioned in cooperation with each other at the serum concentration in isotonic solutions. The addition of sucrose protected the bacteria from the lethal and lytic action of these agents. Elimination of lysozyme from serum had the least effect on bactericidal activity, even though lysozyme treatment caused the cell wall to separate from the cytoplasmic membrane and caused clear areas to appear in the inner granular layer of the cell wall. Beta-lysin removal had an intermediate effect on the serum bactericidal activity. Beta-lysin treatment caused cell walls to collapse, allowed cytoplasmic contents to leak out of the cells, and stopped the separation of cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane, which normally takes place in 0.5 M sucrose solution. Inactivation of the complement eliminated the serum bactericidal activity against E. coli B. After treatment with antibody and complement, the cell walls became thick and indistinct, a portion of the cytoplasmic contents escaped, and patches of the middle layer of the cell wall appeared in freeze-etch preparations. Beta-lysin damaged the cytoplasmic membrane, lysozyme damaged the inner peptidoglycan layer of the cell wall, and the antibody-complement system damaged both the middle lipopolysaccharide layer of the cell wall and the cytoplasmic membrane.