Effect of perfluorochemical blood substitutes on human neutrophil function

This investigation was undertaken to determine the influence of perfluorochemical blood substitutes (PFCs) on human neutrophil function. Neutrophils isolated from blood of healthy donors were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 hour with 25 percent Oxypherol (perfluorotributylamine) or Fluosol-DA (perfluorodecalin and perfluorotripropylamine) in the presence of fresh autologous serum. In comparison to cells incubated with Hank's balanced salt solution (buffer), neutrophils exposed to PFCs were markedly inhibited in their chemotactic and phagocytic responses. With 25 percent PFCs, chemotaxis to zymosan-activated serum was inhibited to approximately 25 percent of control by Fluosol-DA and 11 percent by Oxypherol. Phagocytosis of polystyrene beads in the presence of fresh serum was decreased to 52 and 50 percent of control by both Oxypherol and Fluosol-DA, respectively. Neutrophils exposed to PFCs aggregated slower and with an extended activation time upon addition of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). When activated with n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), neutrophils exposed to PFCs aggregated at a faster rate but with a longer lag phase in comparison to control cells. Neutrophil superoxide (O-2) release stimulated by PMA also was depressed by prior exposure of cells to Oxypherol (6 nmoles O-2/1.5 X 10(6) neutrophils) compared to buffer (32 nmoles O-2/1.5 X 10(6) neutrophils). PMA-stimulated neutrophil adherence was depressed significantly by prior exposure to Fluosol-DA compared to control. In contrast, Oxypherol had insignificant influence on stimulated adherence. Since PFCs have a profound influence on several important neutrophil functions, patients receiving PFC should be monitored closely for possible infectious complications.