Starting procedures for the isolation and purification of granulocyte chalone activities

Several starting materials and procedures for the extraction and purification of granulocyte chalone activities were tested and evaluated. Among others, leuko-adhesion of bovine blood granulocytes on nylon and cotton wool and direct extraction with polar organic solvents were found suitable. Following PVP-leukapheresis ascites fluids were collected from rats, purified by ultrafiltration and Sephadex G 25 chromatography to yield 2 inhibitors at Ve/Vo = 2.1 and 2.6 and one stimulator at 2.0 by the in vitro 3H-thymidine test. Fraction 2.1, which has met the criteria of a granulocyte chalone by the diffusion chamber and agar colony test, was found thermostabile and to contain several peptides. Yet evidence for the peptide nature of the inhibitor is not conclusive. Extracts from bovine blood granulocytes contained only the inhibitor at 2.1. Problems related to the in vitro test for chalone activity were discussed.