Stimulation of human eosinophil and neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis and random migration by 12-L-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid.

A human platelet lipoxygenase-generated product of arachidonic acid, identified by thin-layer chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties as 12-L-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatertraenoic acid (HETE), was selectively chemotactic in vitro for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), as compared to mononuclear leukocytes, with a preference for eosinophils. Preincubation of PMN with partially-purified HETE at peak chemotactic concentrations of 8-24 mug/ml reduced their random and chemotactic migration and stimulated the activity of their hexose monophosphate shunt; minimally chemotactic concentrations of 0.03-1 mug/ml enhanced PMN random migration without influencing other functions. HETE may thus be capable of preferentially attracting eosinophils to foci of tissue reaction associated with platelet activation.