Related Experiment Videos
Effect of cytokines and colony-stimulating factors on passive polymorphonuclear leukocyte deformability in vitro
A T Skoutelis1, V E Kaleridis, C A Gogos
1Section of Infectious Diseases, Patras University Medical School, Patras, Greece. skout@med.upatras.gr
Abstract:
Cytokines are potent polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) activators and can decrease their deformability. We evaluated passive PMN deformability using the micropipette method after incubation with different concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukins (IL-) 1, 6, 8 and 10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), granulocyte (G) and granulocyte-macrophage (GM) colony-stimulating factors (CSF). TNF, IL-1, G-CSF, GM-CSF and, to a lesser degree, IL-6 significantly and in a dose-dependent fashion decrease PMN deformability. LPS had no direct effect on PMN deformability. When cytokines at concentrations with no effect on deformability were combined they increased PMN rigidity. The findings suggest that several cytokines and CSF impair directly, and not by activation alone, PMN deformability.
Insights
Certain cytokines and colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) directly reduce the deformability of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), impacting their function. This study investigated how various immune signaling molecules affect PMN flexibility.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
Background:
- Cytokines are key immune mediators that activate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).
- PMN deformability is crucial for their migration and function during inflammation.
- Previous research suggests cytokines can alter PMN properties, but direct effects on deformability require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the direct impact of various cytokines and colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) on passive polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) deformability.
- To determine the dose-dependent effects of these immune mediators on PMN mechanical properties.
- To explore potential synergistic effects of combined cytokine treatments on PMN rigidity.
Main Methods:
- Passive PMN deformability was assessed using the micropipette aspiration technique.
- PMNs were incubated with varying concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukins (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF), and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF).
- The effects of individual and combined treatments on PMN rigidity were measured.
Main Results:
- Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-1, G-CSF, and GM-CSF significantly decreased PMN deformability in a dose-dependent manner.
- IL-6 also reduced PMN deformability, though to a lesser extent.
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not directly affect PMN deformability.
- Combinations of cytokines, even at concentrations that had no individual effect, increased PMN rigidity.
Conclusions:
- Several cytokines and CSFs directly impair PMN deformability, independent of their activation effects.
- These findings highlight a direct mechanism by which immune signaling molecules can modulate PMN mechanical function.
- Altered PMN deformability may have significant implications for inflammatory responses and immune cell trafficking.