The effect of PHA-activated MN-cell supernatants on polymorphonuclear leucocyte function.

The effect of PHA-activated mononuclear-cell (MN) supernatants on various polymorphonuclear-leucocyte (PMN) functions were assessed. Treatment of PMN with PHA-activated MN-cell supernatants resulted in greater electrophoretic mobility, indicating an increase in the negative surface charge. PMN directional motility was inhibited in the presence of active supernatants but was not affected by a pulse exposure of the PMN to these supernatants. Neither control nor active supernatants were chemotactic for PMN, but treatment of these cells with active supernatants produced an increase in their phagocytic activity, their ability to reduce NBT and in their glucose oxidation through the hexosemonophosphate shunt. Bactericidal capacity of these PMN was unaltered. Specific loss of leucocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) activity from supernatants of PHA-activated MN cells followed their absorption with PMN cells but not with human MN cells or guinea-pig peritoneal exudate cells. Furthermore, acquired inhibition of migration of the absorbing PMN was observed.