Short-chain fatty acids produced by anaerobic bacteria inhibit phagocytosis by human lung phagocytes.

The effect of short-chain fatty acids on the phagocytic activity of human alveolar macrophages and neutrophils was investigated. These acids, butyric, propionic, and succinic, are produced by anaerobic bacteria. The results indicate that phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by human lung phagocytes is strongly inhibited by the end products of anaerobic catabolism and support the hypothesis that the antiphagocytic activity present in the supernatants of anaerobic cultures may be dependent on the presence of short-chain fatty acids.