Stimulation of reticuloendothelial system and toxicity to macrophages of Staphylococcus aureus cell wall, peptidoglycan, and teichoic acid.

Staphylococcus aureus cell wall possesses several biological activities. It is removed from the blood by reticuloendothelial system (RES) and persists there for a long time. The influence of cell wall components on RES cells in vivo and in vitro was investigated. RES activity was studied in mice by carbon clearance method. Intravenous injection of 10 microgram of cell walls or peptidoglycan caused early stimulation and subsequent suppression of RES activity, while teichoic acid was inactive. Four hundred microgram of peptidoglycan caused RES stimulation with maximum after three days, whereas 400 microgram of cell walls caused no such stimulation. Viability of mouse peritoneal macrophages was studied after four days of culture in the presence of cell walls, peptidoglycan, and teichoic acid. Fifty microgram/ml of cell walls or peptidoglycan caused death of all or 68% of macrophages respectively. Teichoic acid was inactive, exhibiting toxic effects at 400 microgram/ml level.