Chemokinesis of rat polymorphonuclear leucocytes and the effect of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

1 The chemotactic and chemokinetic properties of various substances were studied using rat polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) in Boyden chambers. 2 Casein and the exudate from a carrageenan-induced pleurisy possessed both chemotactic and chemokinetic properties, whereas erythrocyte lysates and albumin showed only chemokinetic activity. 3 Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (db cyclic AMP) had little or no effect on the migration towards casein and the inflammatory ecudate, but stimulated the migration towards erythrocyte lysates and albumin. 4 It appears therefore that db cyclic AMP is able to increase a chemokinetic response initiated by other substances. The lack of effect of this compound on cell migration towards substances possessing both chemotactic and chemokinetic properties probably results from the equilibrating effect of a simultaneous stimulation of chemokinesis and inhibition of chemotaxis. 5 These results suggest that studies designed to investigate the effect of anti-inflammatory drugs on cell migration should include the separate assessment of their ability to influence both chemotaxis and chemokinesis.