Inhibition of leukocyte migration by the agarose plate technique. Application to antigen from Candida albicans and Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Leukocyte migration inhibition by antigen from Candida albicans and Fusobacterium nucleatum was studied in man by means of the direct leukocyte migration agarose technique (LMAT). Antigens were prepared by prolonged ultrasonication and were added to the leukocyte cultures in the original as well as in the concentrated solutions. Significant inhibition of migration with a 10-fold concentrated solution of candida antigen was demonstrated in subjects showing apositive intracutaneous reaction to candida. With the fusobacterial antigen, inhibition of migration or stimulation of migration were demonstrated in subjects with slight peridontal inflammation. A 5-fold increase in the concentration of fusobacterial antigen resulted in increased stimulation of migration or inhibition of migration. Preincubation of the leukocytes with puromycin abolished both inhibition and stimulation of migration by candidal or fusobacterial antigen. The study confirms that it is important to study dose-related effects when applying the LMAT to test cell-mediated immunity. The study is in support of stimulation of migration being an immunologic reaction.