Migration of leukocytes to human nasal mucosa.

In order to perform their antimicrobial function PMN must be able to migrate from capillaries to tissues and mucusal surfaces. We found that cellophane squares placed against the nasal septum can stimulate a local cellular response resulting in the migration of granulocytes to the surface of the squares. Upon removal of the squares, adherent cells can be stained, identified, and quantitated. Studies in which the cellophane squares are left against the septum for 5 min reveal a dense monolayer of granulocytes (greater than 6 per 70 micrometer2) on only 7% +/- 2 of the surface of the square. After 2 hr against the nasal septum, a dense monolayer of granulocytes was found on 87% +/- 10 of the surface of the cellophane square. This technique provides a simple and noninvasive method for in vivo measurement of leukocyte migration.