Cyclic AMP formation during phagocytosis

Abstract

The content of cyclic adenosine-3′, 5′-monophosphate (AMP) in phagocytic macrophages was shown to be increased especially during phagocytosis of the living microbes. The cyclic AMP formed during phagocytosis could be detected in the incubation medium, but in the cells it remained at almost the same level. The cyclic AMP concentration in cells of the intestinal mucosa and in the blood serum of germfree guinea pigs also was increased after injection ofEscherichia coli 055 cells; this points to the participation of the adenylate cyclase system in interaction between microorganisms and the epithelium of the small intestine.