title: [Neutrophil chemotaxis. I. Physiology aspects and study methods].
abstract: Neutrophil chemotaxis is a complex orchestration of biochemical and morphologic events that requires the integrity and coordination of a complicated series of cellular functions. Different substances (both endogenous and exogenous) with chemotactic activity for human neutrophils were described; their interaction with specific receptors on neutrophil cell membrane is requested to induce a directional motility. The ligand-receptor interaction causes the activation of intracellular metabolic pathways and the modification of cytoskeletal structures involved in the chemotactic response. Neutrophil chemotaxis may be studied, for clinical purpose, by in vitro and in vivo methods. The two approaches of investigation are complementary, and, if properly used, they may give a valuable help in defining the nature of the chemotactic defect.
authors.affiliation: Servizio Pediatrico Speciale, Centro Fibrosi Cistica, Ospedale Civile Maggiore, Verona, Italia.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Valletta
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Cazzola
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cipolli
mesh_terms: D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
vernacular_title: La chemiotassi del neutrofilo. I. Aspetti di fisiologia e metodi di studio.