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Published on: December 26, 2014
Galvanotaxis of human granulocytes. Dose-response curve
B Rapp1, A de Boisfleury-Chevance, H Gruler
1Abteilung für Biophysik, Universität Ulm, Federal Republic of Germany.
European Biophysics Journal : EBJ
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Human granulocytes exhibit galvanotaxis, moving towards the anode in response to electric fields. This directed migration is quantified and influenced by electric field strength, pH, and likely involves a G-protein.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Human granulocytes are key immune cells involved in inflammatory responses.
- Understanding cell migration is crucial for immunology and disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the galvanotactic response of human granulocytes.
- To quantify the directed movement of granulocytes under an electric field.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of cell galvanotaxis.
- Experimental investigation using applied electric fields.
- Quantification using polar order parameters (McCutcheon index, average of cos phi).
Main Results:
- Granulocytes migrate towards the anode.
- Migration shows a dose-response relationship with electric field strength.
- Galvanotactic response is non-cooperative (cooperativity coefficient 1 +/- 0.2).
- Key parameters include inverse galvanotactic constant (-0.2 +/- 0.03 V/mm) and pH dependence.
- G-protein identified as likely essential for galvanotaxis.
Conclusions:
- Human granulocyte galvanotaxis is a well-defined, quantifiable process.
- The response is modulated by electric field strength and pH.
- G-protein signaling pathways are implicated in directed cell migration.
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