A monoclonal antibody modulates neutrophil adherence while enhancing cell motility

A monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to human neutrophils, designated 3H9, was established by screening for the inhibition of neutrophil adherence to plastic plates containing a medium supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS medium). The antigen recognized by 3H9 was shown to be present on human leukocytes and found at the highest levels on granulocytes. On Western blotting, 3H9 reacted with a molecule having a molecular weight of 80 kDa. When this MoAb was added at the same time as a neutrophil stimulant (fMLP), the inhibition of neutrophil adherence to plastic plates in the presence of FCS medium was observed after 60 min incubation. Furthermore, this MoAb enhanced not only fMLP-induced chemotaxis but random migration of neutrophils as well. The mechanisms of these phenomena are discussed.