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Augmented release of human leucocyte lactoferrin (and elastase) during coagulation
1Department of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, UK.
Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Immunology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Neutrophil activation during blood coagulation releases lactoferrin and elastase-proteinase inhibitor complex (EPIC). Measuring these markers in serum indicates in vivo neutrophil activation, particularly during inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Neutrophils release lactoferrin and elastase upon activation.
- Blood coagulation offers a physiological model for in vivo neutrophil activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify lactoferrin and elastase-proteinase inhibitor complex (EPIC) release during blood coagulation.
- To assess the correlation between lactoferrin and EPIC levels in plasma and serum.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure lactoferrin and EPIC levels.
- Plasma and serum samples from blood coagulation were analyzed.
- Statistical analysis included Kendall's rank correlation.
Main Results:
- Median serum lactoferrin (705 ng/ml) and EPIC (176.5 ng/ml) levels were significantly higher than plasma levels (144 ng/ml and 85 ng/ml, respectively).
- A significant positive correlation was observed between lactoferrin and EPIC levels in serum (p < 0.001), but not in plasma.
- The assay demonstrated a detection limit of 1.0 ng/ml with acceptable intra- (8%) and inter-assay (14%) variability.
Conclusions:
- Lactoferrin and EPIC release during coagulation reflects in vivo neutrophil activation.
- Serum lactoferrin and EPIC levels can serve as biomarkers for neutrophil activation, especially in inflammatory conditions.
- The study highlights the utility of coagulation as a model for investigating in vivo neutrophil responses.