Mycoplasma Interactions with Lymphocytes and Phagocytes: Comments on Present Status

Interactions between mycoplasmas and leukocytes are both specific and non-specific. Phagocytosis is generally resisted until the mycoplasma is opsonized by specific antibody. Lymphocytes react with mycoplasmas in a variety of ways; both stimulation and inhibition can occur as a result of antigenic (specific) or mitogenic (non-specific) properties of the organisms. A variety of mitogenic substances are generated by mycoplasmas of different origin and their effect on B cells, macrophages, and T cells also varies. Apparently, non-specific mitogenic stimulation is a significant component of the immune response to mycoplasmas. Regulation of these organism/host interactions is not random, however. Receptors for mycoplasma attachment or interaction are under genetic control, suggesting that certain hosts are more susceptible to both specific and non-specific immune stimulation.