[Exploration and modulation of the chemotaxis of lymphocytes]

Lymphocytes migrate and concentrate at inflammatory sites in part under the control of chemotactic factors. Lymphocyte chemotaxis has been studied in vitro using direct microscopic observation, the Boyden chamber technique and the migration under agarose or collagen gels. Various chemical compounds such as casein and cytokines such as interleukins 1 and 2 have been found to be chemotactic factors for lymphocytes. In addition, chemotaxis inhibitors have been described. Lymphocyte chemotaxis abnormalities have been described in various conditions: inflammation, auto-immune diseases, cancer. A better understanding of lymphocyte chemotaxis may provide a more specific therapeutic approach of such diseases.