VOLUME-DEPENDENT HUMAN-BLOOD POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE HETEROGENEITY DEMONSTRATED WITH COUNTERFLOW CENTRIFUGAL ELUTRIATION

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 65  (1) , 71-78
Abstract
Human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were recently recognized as a heterogeneous population of cells. Consideration has not been given to the possibility that size may be an additional physical characteristic demonstrating heterogeneity. Using counterflow centrifugal elutriation, PMN can be isolated into at least 6 volume-dependent fractions. A positive correlation exists for PMN size and superoxide anion release upon stimulation with f-Met-Leu-Phe or phorbol myristate acetate. Total granule contents were also noted to be greater in larger PMN fractions, with a constant percent of release upon stimulation. The implications of these findings are discussed.