Random locomotion and chemotaxis of human blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes from a patient with Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-1: Normal displacementin close quarters via chimneying

The beta 2 integrins are known to be important in the motile function of le ukocytes in general and in the adhesive response to inflammatory stimuli in particular. In the current study, under direct microscopic observation wit h concomitant time-lapse video recording, we examined the locomotion of hum an blood PMN from a patient with Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-1 (LAD), a d isorder in which beta 2 integrins on the cell surface are markedly deficien t in number or function. In thin slide preparations such that the leukocyte s were somewhat compressed between slide and cover slip, PMNLAD exhibited n ormal random locomotion and chemotaxis, apparently by using the opposing su rfaces to generate the force for locomotion (chimneying). In thicker prepar ations, an adherence deficit was evident, but chemotaxis still occurred, ev en by PMNLAD anticoagulated in EDTA. Consistent with the paucity of beta 2 integrins on the surface of the PMNLAD was their failure to aggregate in th e presence of antibodies to beta 2 integrins, even when they had been broug ht together by chemotaxis, We relate these findings to the reported indepen dence from integrins of PMN in the lung vasculature in LAD, as well as in c ertain experimental conditions. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 46:183-189, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.