Separation and functional characterization of human neutrophil
subpopulations
MS Klempner and JI Gallin
Human neutrophils have been considered to be a functionally homogeneous
population of cells. We have developed a density sedimentation technique
for separation of neutrophils into two populations based on their ability
to form rosettes with IgG-coated human erythrocytes (7SEA). Under the
experimental conditions 80% +/- 4.3% of normal human peripheral blood
neutrophilis form rosettes. Functionally rosette- forming neutrophils are
more adherent to nylon wool, able to phagocytize more 14C-labeled
Staphylococcus aureus, more efficient in killing S. aureus, and more
responsive to endotoxin-activated human serum in a 51-cr chemotaxis assay
that the non-rosette forming neutrophils. However, there is no difference
among neutrophil subpopulations' ability to phagocytize latex particles.
Paired samples of exudate neutrophils from cutaneous abscess fluid and
peripheral neutrophils from three patients were investigated for their
ability to form 7SEA rosettes. In each case exudate neutrophils contained
greater than 96% rosette-forming neutrophils, whereas peripheral blood
contained the normal 80% ( less than 0.01). Thus we show that peripheral
blood contains at least two distinct populations of neutrophils. However,
an essentially homogeneous neutrophil population is present in cutaneous
exudate fluid.
Volume 51,
Issue 4,
pp. 659-669,
04/01/1978
Copyright © 1978 by The American Society of Hematology
