Kinetics of chemo-attraction of polymorphonuclear leukocytes towards N-formyl peptide studied with a novel polycarbonate (Nucleopore) membrane in the Boyden chamber

The motile responses of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) in the Boyden chamber using a new sparse-pore polycarbonate membrane (pores 3 micron in diameter and occupying 0.1% of surface area) were compared with those demonstrated by using a standard polycarbonate (Nuclepore) filtration membrane (pores 3 micron in diameter and occupying 5% of surface area). Motility of PMN in gradients of FMLP using the new membrane was not influenced by chemokinetic effects of the factor, and the 'background' migration of the cells was minimal. However, motility of PMN in gradients of FMLP using the standard membrane was found to be influenced by chemokinetic effects of the chemotactic factor, and the 'background' or 'control' migration (in the absence of chemotactic factor) of the cells was substantial. Greater directional migration of PMN according to steepness of the gradient of chemotactic factor was demonstrated with the use of the new membrane. The new membrane may be of considerable value in the further study of the chemotactic responses of PMN.