acid-phosphatase and Leprosy

Murine Schwann cells were infected with viable armadillo-derived Mycobacterium leprae in vitro, and the lysosomal marker enzyme, acid phosphatase, was stained by the Gomori reaction. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that Schwann cells infected with M. leprae possess acid phosphatase and that lysosomes fuse with infected phagosomes.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Leprosy; Lysosomes; Membrane Fusion; Mice; Mycobacterium leprae; Phagocytosis; Phagosomes; Schwann Cells

Bone marrow-derived cultured macrophages were infected with Mycobacterium leprae. The bacteria were either used as freshly isolated organisms or incubated with M. leprae antiserum (1:5) for 30 min prior to phagocytosis. Immediately after inoculation (1 to 4 h) and at 1 to 8 days later, macrophages were stained for acid phosphatase activity to assess fusions between phagosomes and lysosomes. Inhibition of fusions was essentially apparent as an early event, which was partially reversed by antiserum treatment of the bacteria, suggesting a role for M. leprae immunogenic surface components in this early phenomenon. Later incubation times (1 to 8 days) did not show any considerable difference between antiserum-treated and nontreated bacteria. The formation of an electron-transparent zone around phagocytized bacteria and its role in phagosome-lysosome fusion was investigated, and a direct relationship could not be established.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Intracellular Membranes; Leprosy; Lysosomes; Macrophages; Membrane Fusion; Mice; Microscopy, Electron; Mycobacterium leprae; Phagosomes; Surface Properties

The effect of the infection with M. lepraemurium on the activity of several lysosomal enzymes of mouse peritoneal cells was studied. The enzymes studies were acid- and alkaline-phosphatases, acid (cathepsin D-type) proteinase, beta-glucuronidase, deoxyribonuclease, a nonspecific lipase, and lysozyme. Enzyme determinations were carried out four months and six months after the infection with 15.5 X 10(7) bacilli per mouse. Clear differences between M. lepraemurium-infected and normal animals were observed at four months of infection, with all of the mentioned enzyme activities well above the normal values. At six months of infection, a tendency to decrease to normal values of the enzyme activities was observed. It is suggested that this biochemical activation of mouse peritoneal cells reflects the effect of the cell-mediated immune response triggered by the infection with the murine leprosy bacillus. M. lepraemurium-infected mice possess macrophages in a high state of biochemical activation; yet, they are unable to get rid of the infecting microorganism.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Ascitic Fluid; Cathepsins; Deoxyribonucleases; Female; Glucuronidase; Leprosy; Lipase; Lysosomes; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Phagocytosis

The phenotype frequencies of the erythrocyte enzyme polymorphisms acid phosphatase (aP), phosphoglucomutase loci 1 and 2 (PGM1 and PGM2), adenylate kinase (AK), adenosine desaminase (ADA), esterase D (EsD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) were determined on a sample of 234-248 South African Negroes with leprosy. These results were compared with data of 841--997 healthy Negro controls of similar geographical and ethnic origin, in order to determine whether or not any association exists between specific phenotypes and the manifestation of leprosy. A part of the data included in the present study were compared with the data of a similar comparative analysis on Mozambican Negroes. With regard to the polymorphisms aP, PGM1 and PGM2, the results derived from South Africa and Mozambique exhibit reverse patterns of deviations from the null hypothesis. From this it does not appear justified to postulate an association between these genetic markers and the occurrence of leprosy. For the enzyme polymorphisms ADA, AK and EsD (data are confined to South African Negroes only) the distribution of phenotypes between patients and controls was very similar. The differences were not statistically significant. However, observations on the 6-PGD polymorphism (data are confined to South African Negroes only) showed an excess of phenotype PGD A among leprosy patients as compared with controls. The difference was statistically highly significant. Further studies based on additional samples are required to substantiate whether or not the statistical outcome reflects a true association between this phenotype and leprosy.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Deaminase; Adenylate Kinase; Alleles; Black People; Erythrocytes; Esterases; Humans; Leprosy; Mozambique; Phenotype; Phosphoglucomutase; Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase; Polymorphism, Genetic; South Africa

Osteoclasts and osteolytic osteocytes have been observed in the majority of 60 samples of bone taken from five patients with lepromatous or tuberculoid leprosy. These results are interpreted to mean that bone loss in patients with leprosy is an acceleration of a normal cellular process and not the result of avascular necrosis. The acceleration of bone resorption could be due to local release of products from M. leprae or host cells, a hypothesis testable by organ culture methods. The presence of lymphocytes and mononuclear cells in bone samples in this and previous studies is discussed with respect to recent evidence of a role for lymphoid cells in bone resorption.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Aged; Bone Resorption; Female; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Leprosy; Male; Metatarsus; Middle Aged; Osteoclasts; Osteocytes; Tarsal Bones

Lepromatous tissue from armadillos inoculated 24--36 months earlier with Mycobacterium leprae was obtained for electron microscopic studies. Cytochemically stained lepromas revealed a subpopulation of macrophages containing peroxisomes. These peroxidase reactive macrophages were not infected with bacilli. Acid phosphatase was present in macrophages and many of these were infected with bacilli and contained vacuoles and lipid globules. Within the membrane-bound vacuoles, acid phosphatase surrounded bacilli. However, the reaction product ended abruptly at a 15--40 millimicron thick zone of low electron density surrounding intact bacilli. Acid phosphatase was more intensely reactive and localized less precisely in heavily infected and vacuolated macrophages than in lightly and non-infected cells. The effectiveness of this bacillary barrier and the numerous infected macrophages with substantial acid phosphatase argue against the ability of acid phosphatase to protect host cells from leprosy bacilli. Evidence suggests a protective action of peroxidase or the rapid turnover of macrophages within lepromas. Granular and membranous debris were commonly seen within vacuoles of infected macrophages. A portion of the debris was ultrastructurally similar to bacillary matrix and was nonreactive for peroxidase and acid phosphatase. Following homogenization and centrifugation, similar materials banded with bacilli above 60% sucrose. Another portion of the debris was ultrastructurally similar to host lysosomal matrix and was reactive for acid phosphatase. Results support the concept of dual host and parasitic origins of the debris found in phagolysosomes of infected macrophages. Transparent, oval Epon defects remained eccentric to the majority of intact bacilli in centrifuged fractions. Apparently, an intrinsic property of leprosy produced these Epon defects.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Armadillos; Disease Models, Animal; Histocytochemistry; Leprosy; Macrophages; Mycobacterium leprae; Peroxidases; Vacuoles

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Cells, Cultured; Enzyme Activation; Glucuronidase; Humans; Leprosy; Lymphokines; Lysosomes; Macrophages; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium leprae; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Alkaline Phosphatase; Female; Glucuronidase; Humans; Leprosy; Leukocytes; Lipase; Male; Phagocytosis

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Connective Tissue; Connective Tissue Cells; DNA; Enzymes; Esterases; Fibroma; Fibrosarcoma; Granulation Tissue; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Leprosy; Leucyl Aminopeptidase; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Mycosis Fungoides; Skin; Skin Diseases; Skin Neoplasms; Tuberculosis, Cutaneous

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Biopsy; Collagen; Demyelinating Diseases; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Hypertrophy; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Leprosy; Macrophages; Microscopy, Electron; Mycobacterium leprae; Myelin Sheath; Nerve Degeneration; Peripheral Nerves; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Schwann Cells; Sural Nerve

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Cell Nucleus; Cytoplasm; Cytoplasmic Granules; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Leprosy; Lysosomes; Macrophages; Microscopy, Electron; Mitochondria; Peripheral Nerves; Schwann Cells; Skin

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antitubercular Agents; Female; Histiocytes; Humans; Leprosy; Male; Middle Aged; Phagocytosis; Skin; Sulfones

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Fibroblasts; Histiocytes; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Leprosy; Metabolic Diseases; Microscopy, Electron; Mycobacterium leprae

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Bacteriolysis; Biopsy; Cytoplasm; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Leprosy; Lysosomes; Macrophages

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adolescent; Adult; Alkaline Phosphatase; Amino Acids; Blood Proteins; Globulins; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Leprosy; Lysosomes; Muramidase; Proteins

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Histidine; Leprosy; Liver; Lyases; Rats; Succinate Dehydrogenase

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Coloring Agents; Electron Transport Complex IV; Esterases; Glucuronidase; Histiocytes; Histocytochemistry; Leprosy; Leucyl Aminopeptidase; Lipase; Male; Mice; Microscopy, Electron; Mononuclear Phagocyte System; Mycobacterium leprae; Phospholipids; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Typhoid-Paratyphoid Vaccines

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Amides; Amidohydrolases; Aminosalicylic Acids; Animals; Catalase; Ethambutol; Guinea Pigs; Isoniazid; Leprosy; Male; Mice; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium leprae; Rabbits; Streptomycin; Surface-Active Agents

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Cytoplasm; Electrons; Leprosy; Mice; Microscopy; Microscopy, Electron; Parasites; Pathology; Research; Spleen

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Coloring Agents; DNA; Humans; Leprosy; Leprosy, Lepromatous; Lipid Metabolism; RNA; Skin; Staining and Labeling; Tyrosine Decarboxylase

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Coloring Agents; Humans; Leprosy; Lipase; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Skin Diseases