Objective:
To examine the hypothesis that tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is an important local modulator of neutrophil function in the inflammatory microenvironment.
Design:
In vitro studies of host defense.
Patients:
A volunteer sample of healthy subjects.
Intervention:
Exudative neutrophils were collected from skin-blister chambers and functionally compared with blood neutrophils.
Methods:
Tumor necrosis factor α levels at sites of inflammation and neutrophil exudation were determined and compared with serum concentrations. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate neutrophil microbicidal activity and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine—induced changes in intracellular calcium and superoxide production. In vitro TNF-α was used to evaluate the nature and dose response of TNF-α–induced changes in neutrophil function.
Results:
Exudative neutrophils have an increased responsiveness to subsequent N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine stimulation, as determined by changes in intracellular calcium. Microbicidal activity and superoxide production are also up-regulated compared with circulating neutrophils. The exudative microenvironment contains TNF-α at local levels that are capable of significantly enhancing neutrophil host defense.
Conclusions:
Tumor necrosis factor α may serve to enhance neutrophil function at sites of inflammation. Neutrophils become more cytotoxic and have an enhanced ability to respond to weak environmental signals.(Arch Surg. 1994;129:1249-1255)