BLOOD MONOCYTE CHEMOTAXIS

Migration is a prerequisite for blood monocytes to exert their biologi cal activities, since they have to migrate from blood into the tissues where they transform into macrophages. In vivo chemotaxis of blood mo nocytes is seldom evaluated, while their in vitro ability to migrate i s frequently tested. The most frequently used test relies on BM migrat ion through filters using modified Boyden chemotactic chambers. Using checkerboard analysis it is possible to define chemotactic and chemoki netic factors.