Fluidity and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration of circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes at baseline in some chronic and acute clinical conditions: review of our survey

Abstract. Objective: In this mini-review we describe the behavior of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) membrane fluidity and of PMN cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in some chronic and acute clinical conditions. Methods: PMN membrane fluidity was evaluated employing the fluorescent probe Fura-2AM, and PMN cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was evaluated using the fluorescent probe TMA-DPH. Results: From the determination of these two parameters investigated on resting PMNs, an almost constant increase in PMN cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in chronic clinical conditions, such as vascular atherosclerotic disease with and without diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus of both types, and a decrease in PMN membrane fluidity in acute clinical conditions, such as juvenile acute myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke, are evident. Conclusion: The possible reasons for this different behavior are analyzed on the basis of pathophysiological considerations.