Chemotactic factor-induced effects upon deformability of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

• Published in: Journal of clinical immunology Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 41 - 44
• Main Authors: Kawaoka, E J, Miller, M E, Cheung, A T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01-01-1981
• Subjects: Cell Movement - drug effects; Chemotactic Factors - pharmacology; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte - drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; N-Formylmethionine - analogs & derivatives; N-Formylmethionine - pharmacology; N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; Neutrophils - drug effects; Neutrophils - physiology; Oligopeptides - pharmacology; Pressure
• ISSN: 0271-9142; 1573-2592
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00915475

We have compared the effects of the synthetic chemotactic peptide, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-Met-Leu-Phe), on the deformability and chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). By utilizing the technique of cell elastimetry (deformability), which measures the negative pressure required to aspirate cells into a micropipet, we have shown a correlation between f-Met-Leu-Phe concentrations and PMN deformability which parallels the effects of that chemoattractant on filter chemotaxis. At concentrations as low as 10(-11) M, a change in the deformability characteristics of a population of neutrophils was demonstrated. The increase in deformability became most marked at peptide concentrations in the range of 1-5 x 10(-9) M, corresponding to the optimal concentration range in the filter chemotaxis assay. Concentrations of 10(-8) M and greater were associated with a significant increase in the negative pressure required to aspirate the cells into a micropipet. Alterations in PMN deformability, therefore, occur as a natural consequence of stimulation of a human PMN with a chemotactic factor and may be a prerequisite to efficient movement.