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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
A Quantitative Evaluation of Cell Migration by the Phagokinetic Track Motility Assay
Published on: December 4, 2012
A new simplified assay for evaluation of motile activity of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes
1Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Therapy, Medical University of Pécs, Hungary.
Abstract:
We studied the adaptation of a filtration instrument to an assay for cell migration experiments. The commercially available Nuclepore filter holders were modified so that isolated human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) were allowed to penetrate a porous filter membrane and to enter a compartment under the membrane. The total number of PMNs which had passed the pores during an hour of incubation could be counted. In this way we carried out experiments using Shigella sonnei lipopolysaccharide and dilutions of E. coli culture supernatant as chemoattractants for healthy human PMNs. These studies showed that the method can distinguish between random and directed movements of PMNs and it is sensitive to the concentrations of chemoattractant. Furthermore, the data obtained using PMNs from the same subject on different days seem to be comparable.
Insights
This study adapted a filtration instrument to measure human polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) migration in response to chemoattractants. The modified assay accurately quantifies directed cell movement and shows reliable results for PMN chemotaxis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cell migration is crucial for immune responses.
- Quantifying directed cell movement (chemotaxis) is vital for understanding immune cell function.
- Existing methods for cell migration assays can be complex or lack sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt a filtration instrument for a robust cell migration assay.
- To evaluate the instrument's ability to measure human polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) migration.
- To assess the assay's sensitivity to chemoattractant concentration and its reproducibility.
Main Methods:
- Modification of commercially available Nuclepore filter holders.
- Incubation of isolated human PMNs with chemoattractants (Shigella sonnei lipopolysaccharide, E. coli supernatant).
- Quantification of PMNs migrating through a porous membrane over one hour.
Main Results:
- The adapted filtration instrument successfully measured PMN migration.
- The assay could distinguish between random and directed PMN movement.
- The method demonstrated sensitivity to varying chemoattractant concentrations.
- Data from the same subject on different days were comparable, indicating reproducibility.
Conclusions:
- The modified filtration instrument provides a sensitive and reproducible method for studying PMN chemotaxis.
- This assay is valuable for investigating immune cell migration and responses to stimuli.
- The technique facilitates research in immunology and related fields.
