Measurement of CD11/CD18 integrin expression on the polymorphonuclear cell surface after incubation with synthetic...

Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell activation in the presence of synthetic vascular grafts was studied by using flow cytometry to measure CD11/CD18 leukocyte adhesion molecule expression at the cell surface. Polymorphonuclear cells isolated from the blood of 10 healthy human donors were incubated with six knitted polyester vascular prostheses (Vasculour II, Albumin-Coated Graft, Triaxial, Gelatin-Impregnated Gelseal, Dialine I, and Bovine Collagen-Impregnated Dialine II) for 60 min at 37 degrees C. The authors' study demonstrated that CD11/CD18 integrin expression varies among donors for a given vascular prosthesis, and that each donor has his or her own pattern of responsiveness toward synthetic vascular grafts. The current study indicates that PMN activation measured by CD11/CD18 integrin expression is a sensitive method of measuring the blood compatibility of a given foreign surface for a given patient.