Neutrophilia of infection/inflammation: are we really dealing with "inflamed" leukocytes?
Sasson, Y.; Zeltser, D.; Rogowski, O.; Kassirer, M.; Maharshak, N.; Nissenkorn, A.; Leibovitz, E.; Halperin, P.; Sharvit, D.; Sorkine, P.; Arber, N.; Berliner, S.
Journal of Medicine 29(3-4): 217-229
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7850 PMID: 9865459 Document Number: 496133
We adopted whole blood flow cytometry and direct labeling of the CD11b/CD18 and CD62L antigens to study the relationship between their expression and leukocytosis in patients with infection/inflammation, acute stress and healthy volunteers. Mean +/- S.D. channel fluorescence intensity of CD11b/CD18 antigen on peripheral blood polymorphonuclears did not differ between patients with infection/ inflammation (173+/-78) and controls (167+/-72), but was significantly (p = 0.04) reduced in stress (135+/-60). No correlation was found between CD11b/CD18 antigen level and either polymorphonuclears absolute number or serum C-reactive protein. A significant negative correlation was noted between CD62L antigen expression on polymorphonuclears and their absolute number. We assume that cells with increased CD11b/CD18 surface concentrations are retained in the capillaries and that part of the leukocytes in the peripheral blood are stressed leukocytes with reduced CD11b/CD18. Thus, leukocytes detected in peripheral blood are not necessarily the most "inflamed" ones.