Leukotriene B4: biological activities and the cytoskeleton

The aggregation and chemokinesis of either rat or human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) induced by leukotriene B4 isomer III (LTB4) are inhibited significantly by colchicine (10(-6) - 10(-3)M) and vinblastine (10(-7) - 10(-4)M). Random migration of the leucocytes is inhibited by colchicine 10(-3)M and vinblastine 10(-4)M. Cytochalasin B (4 X 10(-7) - 4 X 10(-6)M) caused the aggregation of rat PMNs but inhibited their random migration. The aggregation of the PMNs induced by LTB4 was enhanced by cytochalasin B but the chemokinesis was inhibited. It is suggested that both microtubules and microfilaments may be involved in the aggregatory and chemokinetic responses of PMNs to LTB4.