Characteristics of individual polymorphonuclear leucocyte motility obtained with a new opto-electronic method.

An opto-electronic device has been used for a quantitative assessment of the motility of individual polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) adhering to a glass cover slip. One of the oculars in a phase contrast microscope is provided with a mini-array of 32 x 32 light-sensitive elements. These are connected to an electronic unit, capable of recording the number of light-intensity changes on each element and of visualizing the path of a cell on an oscilloscope screen, as a pattern of dots. The results clearly show that individual PMNL respond differently to environmental conditions; for instance, (i) raising the temperature increased the motility of cells to a maximum at around 39 degrees C and lowering the temperature from 42 degrees C restored their peak motility, (ii) protein was required at attachment depending on the temperature at attachment, (iii) endotoxin-activated normal human serum affected more drastically cells with a low initial motility and cytochalasin B more adversely influenced cells with a high initial motility, (iv) phagocytosis of yeast cells reduced the percentage of motile cells, which was more pronounced if the PMNL were washed before the motility measurement. The average motility of the PMNL was also diminished, although individual PMNL retained normal activity after ingestion of one or more yeast cells.