Physicochemical surface changes on phagocytic cells during differentiation in relation to chemotaxis and phagocytosis

During cell differentiation induced by DMSO, the HL-60 cells exhibit certain surface alterations such as increased hydrophobic interaction. Similar changes have been observed in activated alveolar macrophages, and granulocytes exposed to chemoattractant in vivo and in vitro. Whether these surface changes are directly linked to the enhanced chemotactic, oxidative and phagocytic responsiveness is unclear, although increased liability to hydrophobic interaction promotes phagocytic recognition in several systems. From the present data it is evident that oxidative and phagocytic responsiveness are acquired at different stages of differentiation. Detecting physicochemical differences in the surface properties of the HL-60 cells during differentiation may furthermore provide a useful tool for studying subpopulations of cells during differentiation and activation.