title: Chemotactic factor-induced effects upon deformability of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002630:Chemotactic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D009239:N-Formylmethionine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011312:Pressure
chemical_list: D002630:Chemotactic Factors; D009842:Oligopeptides; D009239:N-Formylmethionine; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine