A method for the determination of leukocyte migration for large sample numbers by automated densitometric...

The chemotactic migration of leukocytes is a key event in virtually all immunological reactions. In recent years the characterization of new chemotaxins has been an expanding field of research. Measurement of leukocyte chemotaxis as a bioassay in order to identify and purify new chemotaxins requires the analysis of large sample numbers in a short time to control the purification process. For this purpose only a very limited number of techniques have been described. Using the Boyden-chamber technique we have developed a new method for automated quantification of migrated cells by densitometry. This method was designed for determination of human monocyte migration but human lymphocytes and neutrophil granulocytes can also be used as migrating cells. The new method showed a high accuracy and reproducibility and correlates strongly with established procedures like the lower-surface-count technique. With this method large sample numbers can be analysed for locomotory activity in a short time. If necessary results can be verified by microscopic evaluation.