A Simple Method for Quantitation of Chemotaxis of Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils in vitro

Abstract

A new method for quantitation of chemotactic response of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in vitro is described. It involves harvesting PMNs from the chemotactic substance in the lower half of the chamber after a three hour incubation, and expressing their numbers as a percentage of neutrophils initially deposited on the Millipore filters; and is referred to as “Chemotactic index”. In comparison with two techniques commonly used at present, the new method appeared simple, easily reproducible, less time consuming, and more precise in delineating quantitative differences in responses of blood PMNs from different animals to a single chemotactic agent; as well as difference in the potency of two chemotactic agents to PMNs from a single source. The method also enables ready comparison of results from different sources.