FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CELL-FUNCTION - CYTOSOLIC CA-LYMPHOCYTES(+ MODULATION IN HUMAN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES AND T)

Flow cytometry and fluo-3/AM have been used to track cytosolic Ca++ mo dulation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and T lymphocytes . The chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) but n ot the phorbol ester PMA induced cytosolic Ca++ modulation in PMN alon g with forward and side scatter modification. PMA inhibited FMLP activ ity when preincubated with PMN. T lymphocytes were antigen specific T cell clones and were stimulated with various amounts of diverse supera ntigens or PHA. Data show that superantigens can induce either activat ion or anergy depending on culture conditions. The biological signific ance of these data are discussed.