Methods for Assessing the Effects of Galectins on Leukocyte Trafficking and Clearance

Numerous protocols exist for investigating leukocyte recruitment and clearance both in vitro and in vivo. Here we describe an in vitro flow chamber assay typically used for studying the mechanisms underpinning leukocyte movement through the endothelium and zymosan-induced peritonitis, an acute in vivo model of inflammation that enables both leukocyte trafficking and clearance to be monitored. Insight is given as to how these models can be used to study the actions of galectins on the inflammatory process.