FUNCTION OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR NEUTROPHILIC LEUKOCYTES - COMPARISON OF LEUKOCYTES FROM BLOOD AND EXUDATE IN HEALTHY-VOLUNTEERS

Abstract

The function of polymorphonuclear neutrophils [PMN] and from exudates (E-PMN) was studied in healthy volunteers. The E-PMN were isolated from skin windows with chambers and the chemotactic, phagocytic and nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reducing activity measured and compared to that of simultaneously obtained B-PMN. The chemotactic and random migration of E-PMN in Boyden chambers measured by the leading front and by the chemotactic index were reduced compared with B-PMN (P < 0.01). Serum independent phagocytosis of paraffin oil emulsions was significantly increased (P < 0.01) by E-PMN after 12, 24 and 48 h and not correlated to the function of B-PMN. Opsonization with autologous serum increased the phagocytosis by both E-PMN and B-PMN, but mainly the latter. The NBT reduction by E-PMN was increased (P < 0.01) and positively correlated to the NBT reduction by resting B-PMN. There was no difference in NBT reduction between phagocytosing E-PMN and B-PMN. Mobilization of PMN to an inflammatory focus in healthy subjects induced marked changes in the function, and B-PMN function cannot always be assumed to reflect the function of PMN from inflammatory sites.