Effects of renal failure on leukotaxis.

Effects of renal failure and experimental azotemia on in vitro leukocyte migraton were studied. Migration of normal leukocytes in sera from patients with untreated renal failure was regularly decreased, while sera from patients on chronic dialysis exerted no inhibitory effect. Serial sera obtained from two patients starting chronic dialysis exhibited a gradual decrease and ultimate disappearance of the serum inhibitory effect. Experimental azotemia serum supported increased migration of normal leukocytes. Leukocytes from renal failure patients migrated normally when incubated in autologous uremic serum or in normal homologous serum. These results provide evidence that serum from untreated renal failure patients inhibits the in vitro migration of normal leukocytes. This inhibitory capacity is apparently correctable by hemodialysis.