Studies on human leukocyte motility. I. Effects of alterations in pH, electrolyte concentration, and phagocytosis on leukocyte migration, adhesiveness, and aggregation.

Leukocyte migration was studied in a microhematocrit system which permitted evaluation of the separate effects of leukocyte adhesiveness, intrinsic cell motility, and leukocyte clumping. Leukocyte adhesion to glass required the presence of magnesium ion, was totally independent of calcium ion, and was partially dependent on heat-labile plasma factors. Leukocyte migration was unimpaired by marked acidosis or by wide variations in sodium, potassium, or calcium concentrations. Marked impairment of individual leukocyte motility and increased leukocyte aggregation were observed after phagocytosis of particulate matter, suggesting a mechanism facilitating recruitment and retention of leukocytes at areas of microbial invasion.