Klinokinesis in polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Klinokinesis has previously been demonstrated in bacteria and amoeba but not in metazoan cells. We report here evidence for klinokinesis in leucocytes. Changes in the rate of human and rabbit polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) displacement elicited by uniform concentrations of the chemotactic peptide formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) were associated with alterations of the klinolocomotion index (KI), the mean angle of turns greater than or equal to 90 degrees and the frequency of changes in direction greater than or equal to 90 degrees. Orthokinesis and klinokinesis had synergistic effects and both elements of chemokinesis may have a substantial influence on PMN velocity. The relationship between speed and changes in the direction of locomotion has been analyzed and the putative role of klinokinesis in chemotactic responses is discussed.