The functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes emigrating into the skin

The functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) emigrating into the skin and of others separated simultaneously from the circulation were determined and compared in healthy individuals. The PMNs emigrating into the skin were separated with a skin chamber technique. The C3 rosette forming capacities of the skin migrating and the circulating PMNs were similar. The chemotactic responsiveness was evaluated using three different chemoattractants: zymosan-activated serum, casein and lymphocyte-derived chemotactic factor. The skin PMNs gave practically no chemotactic response in the Boyden chamber, irrespective of the chemoattractant used. On the other hand, the skin PMNs exhibited higher plastic surface adherence, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and Candida albicans killing activities. The data indicate that some functional activities of PMNs undergo alteration during in vivo emigration into the skin. The alterations, overall, may be of importance in the physiological protective function of the skin.