Adherence, spreading, and locomotion of bovine polymorphs: effect of proteins and metabolic inhibitors

Adherence of bovine polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) on plastic, glass, and nylon wool fibers was assayed in the presence or in the absence of proteins and metabolic inhibitors. PMN adhered strongly and flattened on naked surfaces (without proteins). This process was active (did not occur at 5 degrees C), independent of divalent cations, and resisted the action of inhibitors except that of 10(-3) M iodoacetic acid, an inhibitor of glycolysis. A dose-dependent inhibitory effect was exerted on PMN adherence by fibrinogen and gelatin, whereas ovalbumin and human serum-albumin (HSA) inhibited only cell spreading. Bovine serum inhibited spreading and reduced attachment. In the presence of HSA, PMN adherence to plastic required the correct temperature (37 degrees C) and an intact glycolytic pathway and oxidative metabolism. PMN migration under agarose was reduced on naked plastic when compared to plastic pre-coated with gelatin. Incorporation of gelatin or HSA in the agarose also permitted the cells to respond to serum chemoattractants, without stimulation of random locomotion. Incorporation of heated precolostral calf serum in agarose resulted in the highest response to serum chemoattractants but also in stimulated random locomotion. These results suggest that PMN adhered too strongly to naked surfaces to be able to respond well chemotactically, and that the proteins used in the migration test under agarose operated mainly through a reduction of cell-surface interactions.