Polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) play an important role in the control of bacterial and mycotic infection and, partially, in the control of some viral infectious and some neoplasias. A nonsecondary role in the pathogenesis of several noninfectious diseases is also played. The study of PMN functions is needed to evaluate their activity in various immunodeficiencies. In other diseases, useful information about their activation state can also be learned. The main limits to the study of PMN function so far have been: the need to isolate the cells from peripheral blood (or other biological fluids); the need to use large blood volumes; the tests' complexity; the time-consuming nature of the tests; and the difficulty in processing many samples at the same time. The traditional tests to evaluate phagocytosis are impaired by several technical limitations. A relevant improvement to routine tests for the evaluation of PMNs comes from methods employing whole blood. Flow cytometry, because of its specific technical peculiarities, provides the opportunity to study many different PMN functions in a new and interesting way.
Triple-labeling cytofluorimetric quantitative and qualitative evaluation of phagocytic activity of monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells
DEL GIACCO, STEFANO;
1997-01-01
Abstract
Polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) play an important role in the control of bacterial and mycotic infection and, partially, in the control of some viral infectious and some neoplasias. A nonsecondary role in the pathogenesis of several noninfectious diseases is also played. The study of PMN functions is needed to evaluate their activity in various immunodeficiencies. In other diseases, useful information about their activation state can also be learned. The main limits to the study of PMN function so far have been: the need to isolate the cells from peripheral blood (or other biological fluids); the need to use large blood volumes; the tests' complexity; the time-consuming nature of the tests; and the difficulty in processing many samples at the same time. The traditional tests to evaluate phagocytosis are impaired by several technical limitations. A relevant improvement to routine tests for the evaluation of PMNs comes from methods employing whole blood. Flow cytometry, because of its specific technical peculiarities, provides the opportunity to study many different PMN functions in a new and interesting way.
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