Analysis of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) migration by the leading-front technique : Random locomotion and chemotaxis

The present study was designed to elucidate the contribution of non-stimulated random movement, stimulated random movement, antitubulin-resistant chemotaxis and antitubulin-sensitive chemotaxis to the casein-induced PMN migration into a micropore filter, evaluated by the leading-front technique. This analysis was conducted by a simplified test design including PMN migration, (a) without casein; (b) in a gradient of casein; and (c) in casein without gradient. Treatment with the antitubulin SPI (a podophyllotoxin derivative) inhibited PMN migration within a casein gradient down to the level of the stimulated PMN random movement induced by casein. The casein-induced PMN chemotaxis measured by the leading-front technique is thus composed of stimulated random movement and antitubulin-sensitive chemotaxis without evidence of antitubulin-resistant chemotaxis. It is suggested that the anti-inflammatory effects of the antitubulins (colchicine, podophyllotoxin, Vinca alcaloids, griseofulvin) are due to an inhibition of the antitubulin-sensitive chemotaxis.