The mechanism of macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration and the role of the cells in inflammatory foci

• Published in: Ensho Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 107 - 116
• Main Authors: Kambara, Takeshi, Ueda, Keishi, Kawaguchi, Tetsu, Nakamura, Tadashi, Kukita, Ichiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: The Japanese Society of Inflammation and Regeneration 1983
• ISSN: 0389-4290; 1884-4006
• DOI: 10.2492/jsir1981.3.2_107

A cardinal feature of inflammatory reaction is the leukocyte infiltration in the foci, and particular interests are whether the motile cells present in the blood are attracted to inflamed spots and if so what chemical substances produce the effect. In vitro experiments has been revealed that may substances are chemotactic for macrophages and lymphocytes. However, the relative importance of these factors in the in vivo reaction is far from clear. The possible importance of leukocyte chemotaxis in inflammation is highlightened by the discovery of chemotactic factors for macrophages and lympocytes in the inflammatory sites. At least four factors, plasma-derived, IgG-derived, lymphokine, and C5a, for macrophages, and four factors for lymphocytes; are found in vivo sites. The relative activity of the factors are different with the age and type of inflammation. Macrophages, thus emigrated into inflammatory foci, appears to play roles a) as an accessory cells for immunological responses, and b) as an effector cells for inflammatory processes. Emphasis is paid to the secretory activities of macrophages. They produce and release many active substances for inflammation, host defence and regulation of function of other cells. Lymphocytes play roles a) directly as an cytotoxic effector cells, and b) indirectly as secretory cells of chemical substances in and around the site of injury. The whole question of chemotaxis of leukocytes in inflammation and the role of these cells in inflammatory lesions are still premature but are extremely active and rapidly moving area of investigation, and “attracts” many of the investigators.