Abstract
ABSTRACT: Previous studies have demonstrated that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are not a homogeneous population of cells but differ significantly in their structure and function. PMN move at varying rates, and a fraction estimated from 20 to 70% do not move at all in response to chemotactic stimuli. To characterize this PMN subpopulation better, we studied PMN motility in neonates and adults using a polycarbonate micropore filter chemotactic assay and the 31D8 MAb. Most PMN strongly bind 31D8 MAb (31D8 “bright”), but a minority (31D8 “dull”) weakly bind the antibody and in this respect are similar to immature PMN precursors. The 31D8 “dull” PMN have impaired function compared with 31D8 “bright” PMN. In the present study, a PMN subpopulation that failed to migrate using the micropore filter assay accounted for 58 ± 7% of adult PMN and was similar to the migrating subpopulation in regard to viability and phagocytic function. The nonmotile subpopulation had a higher percentage of bands (5 ± 3% versus 1 ± 2%, p<0.01) and decreased binding of 31D8 MAb compared with the motile subpopulation. Neonates had a larger nonmigrating PMN subpopulation and 31D8 “dull” PMN subpopulation than those of adults (76 ± 3% versus 58 ± 7%, p=0.04 and 26 ± 11% versus 8 ± 2%, p<0.01, respectively). These data indicate that although PMN appear morphologically as a homogeneous population of cells, there exists a viable, nonmotile PMN subpopulation that may be less mature than the motile PMN subpopulation. They also indicate that impaired neonatal PMN motility may be attributable in part to an increased size of the nonmotile PMN subpopulation.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Krause, P., Kreutzer, D., Eisenfeld, L. et al. Characterization of Nonmotile Neutrophil Subpopulations in Neonates and Adults. Pediatr Res 25, 519–524 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198905000-00019
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198905000-00019
This article is cited by
-
Heterogeneity in phagocytic and oxidative burst activities of neutrophils and neonatal calves
Comparative Haematology International (1997)