The chemotactic attraction of human fibroblasts to a lymphocyte-derived factor.

Abstract

A quantitative assay that measures fibroblast chemotaxis in vitro is described. Application of this technique revealed that peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by antigen [streptokinase-streptodornase, purified protein derivative] or mitogen in vitro produce a factor that is chemotactic for human dermal fibroblasts. This lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor for fibroblasts (LDCF-F) is different from the lymphokine chemotactic for monocytes or macrophages. Macrophages are required for the generation of LDCF-F by T [thymus-derived] lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin. The fibroblast chemotactic factor is heat stable (56.degree. C for 30 min), trypsin sensitive and neuraminidase resistant. LDCF-F could function to attach connective tissue fibroblasts to sites at which cell-mediated immune reactions occur in vivo.