A modified leukocyte migration under agarose technique (LMAT). Technical aspects.

Variables influencing the cell environment were investigated and found to have a profound influence on polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration and chemotaxis, using the LMAT (leukocyte migration under agarose technique) as the test system. Temperature, pH, gas mixtures, time allowed for migration and storage of leukocyte suspensions were all found to be critical factors for the migration response. The presence of divalent cations and protein in the leukocyte suspension were found as well to be essential for cell migration. the influence of different chemo-attractants on cell migration in the LMAT was investigated, and a previously unreported limitation regarding the use of serum was delineated. Serum was found to behave satisfactorily as a chemotactic factor only in freshly-made agar matrices, a consequence most probably due to the development of anti-complementary activity in agar. The technical factors influencing the modified LMAT and problems concerned with the test variables are discussed.