The mitotic activity of blood monocytes cultured in autologous wound fluid

Wound fluid was obtained from the subcutaneous tissue of sheep by implanting a perforated Teflon sampling chamber. A catheter from this chamber was brought to the surface. The types and numbers of cells in this fluid were recorded. Cell free fluid was used at either 100% concentration, or 25% concentration in plasma, as a medium for the culture of autologous blood monocytes. Its ability to support mitosis was compared with that of 100% autologous plasma. Wound fluids taken upon consecutive post-implantation days were compared. Cultured monocytes survived in small numbers in wound fluid collected on the days immediately following operation. When mitosis occurred the mitotic indices remained low. The wound fluid did not exhibit that mitogenicity which is apparent in autologous plasma taken on the third or fourth days following implantation. The results suggest that, following the implantation of Teflon, the wound fluid contains a component which is toxic for blood monocytes cultured upon glass.