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Starch and chemotaxis. A histological study in the mouse
Experimentelle Pathologie
|January 1, 1975
Summary
Inflammation involves white blood cell movement, termed chemotaxis. This study shows positively charged starch granules attract negatively charged white blood cells, suggesting an electrochemical basis for this inflammatory response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Inflammation involves polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) emigration to injury sites, a process known as chemotaxis.
- Recent research highlights the role of ions in thrombus formation after plastic implantation.
- Negatively charged leucocytes are attracted to positively charged materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of electrochemical properties in leucocyte emigration.
- To determine if positively charged substances can induce chemotaxis.
- To explore the mechanism of leucocyte attraction to implanted materials.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous implantation of positively charged starch granules in mice.
- Monitoring and quantifying PMN emigration to the implantation site over time.
- Analyzing the charge interactions between starch granules, leucocytes, and plasma proteins.
Main Results:
- PMN emigration to starch granules began within 60 minutes post-implantation.
- Leucocyte numbers peaked between 24-72 hours and then progressively decreased.
- The positive charge on starch granules was neutralized by adsorbed negatively charged plasma proteins.
Conclusions:
- Chemotaxis, the directed movement of leucocytes, appears to be an electrochemical phenomenon.
- The charge interactions between foreign materials and biological components influence inflammatory responses.
- Understanding these electrochemical principles could offer new insights into managing inflammation.