Chemotactic defect in Wegener's granulomatosis

Abstract

Chemotaxis of the polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes from nine Wegener's granulomatosis patients was examined in vitro. All the patients except one showed remarkable decrease in their chemotactic activity: This might be caused by abnormality in the PMN leukocytes themselves. It was confirmed that there was no increase in chemotactic inhibitory substance(s). There was chemotactic factor(s) in sufficient amount in the serum to react with the antigen-antibody complex for normal chemotaxis. As to the random mobility of PMN leukocytes there was no abnormality in these patients.