Liquid Preservation of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes: Effect of Various Additives on Chemotaxis Preservation

Abstract

Adequate storage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes would allow an easier in vitro study of their structure and their functions, an easier study of polymorphonuclear leukocyte diseases (e. g. chronic granulomatous disease) and an easier use of polymorphonuclear leukocytes äs a clinical tool (e. g. for localizing infections). Unfortunately, polymorphonuclear leukocytes are nearly impossible to preserve, even in shortterm storage. This study proposes a model for the study of polymorphonuclear leukocyte storage in a synthetic medium: Plasmion®.For storage over a period of 24 h, we found that supplementation with each of the following additives: bicarbonate buffer, glucose, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), ascorbic acid, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), oc-tocopherol acetate, amikacin and ampicillin, significantly improves (p < 0.05) one or several functions of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes.When samples were stored for 48 h, we found that the addition of bicarbonate buffer after 24 h significantly improves the maintenänce of several functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, in particular chemotaxis.Preservation for 96 h was achieved by making additions of Supplements on each day of storage, with a chemotaxis maintenänce of 83% at 24 h, 59% at 48 h, 46% at 24 h and 20% at 96 h.In conclusion, by using the Plasmion® medium, and adding the above-mentioned compounds on each day of storage, chemotaxis can be satisfactorily maintained over 4 day s.