Reduced hemoglobin as an inhibitor of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte bacterial killing. Role of hemoglobin--oxygen tension in polymorphonuclear function.

The effect of reduced hemoglobin (Hb) on in vitro human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) bactericidal activity was investigated. Addition of Hb at physiologic concentrations and oxygen partial pressures (150 mg/ml, 35 torr) to PMNL bactericidal assays significantly inhibited the killing of blood culture isolates of Escherichia and Staphylococcus aureus. Raising the oxygen partial pressure above 35 torr greatly decreased this inhibition. Carboxy hemoglobin, produced by equilibrium of Hg with carbon monoxide, is unable to bind oxygen and did not inhibit PMNL bactericidal killing. We postulate that reduced Hb may scavenge oxygen near the surface of the PMNL therapy preventing utilization of oxygen by PMNL for maximal bactericidal activity.