Human leucocyte migration through collagen matrices containing other extracellular matrix components

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the migration of human peripheral blood leucocytes through collagen gels containing extracellular matrix components in vitro. This further extends the findings of a previous study ( Reid et al, 1990 ), using rabbit peritoneal neutrophils, in which it was found that increasing the mechanical strength of the gels decreased the cell migration. In the current study it was found that human neutrophil and lymphocyte migration through collagen matrices was inhibited by increasing the collagen concentration, whereas the presence of serum had no effect on migration. Incorporation of chondroitin sulphate into collagen gel matrices resulted in a slight increase in leucocyte migration. The presence of elastin had no effect on the migration of leucocytes through collagen matrices, whereas incorporation of hyaluronate into collagen matrices decreased leucocyte migration. The morphology of these matrices suggests that altered migration was not due to differences in pore size between fibres.