USE OF LEUKOCYTE MIGRATION UNDER AGAROSE TO STUDY SPONTANEOUS AND DIRECTED LOCOMOTION OF LEUKOCYTES

Abstract

Three different cell attractants, together with the parallel use of the leukocyte migration agarose test (LMAT) and the leading front modification (LFM) of the Boyden chamber technique, were employed in studying whether the maximal migration of normal human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) is higher toward an attractant (chemotaxis) than in the same attractant incorporated in the culture media (chemokinesis). Using LMAT, the maximal migration distance toward zymosan activated serum (ZAS) was significantly longer than that under agarose mixed with ZAS, indicating a chemotactic effect exerted by ZAS. When bacterial culture filtrate (BCF) and casein were used as attractants, the corresponding difference was not significant, implying that the stimulatory effect of these substances on cell migration could be explained by increased random locomotion (chemokinesis) alone. In LFM the migration rate was significantly higher along a casein gradient than without a gradient. Using ZAS, only chemokinesis could be demonstrated. BCF attracted PMN into membrane filters only in the presence of human serum albumin. The view that LMAT and LFM are applicable to the in vitro assessment of chemotaxis and chemokinesis but the attractant of choice for this is different in each of the 2 methods is supported.