[Current aspects of chemotaxis of phagocytic cells]. / Aspects actuels de la chimiotaxie des cellules phagocytaires.

ABSTRACT

Phagocytic cells, the first host defence against microbial attack, are remarkably mobile; they can move very rapidly to the infectious or inflammatory site. They migrate toward a chemotactic factor C5a, lymphokines, bacterial products, leukotriene B4, etc. The binding of the chemotactic factor to its specific receptor on the cell leads to an activation of the phagocytic cell the electric potential of the membrane changes, ionic fluxes and free calcium rate increase, arachidonic acid metabolites are produced, cyclic nucleotides are activated. This produces a change in shape, a polarization of the cell and, after cytoskeleton reorganization, migration of the cell towards the chemotactic factor. A constitutional or acquired abnormality of one of these steps induces a defect of chemotaxis for the phagocytic cells and severe infections.