A Chemotactic Factor for Mononuclear Leukocytes

Abstract

Chemotactic activity for mononuclear leukocytes was produced when highly purified guinea pig C5 was cleaved by trypsin or by the earlier acting complement components. This chemotactic activity was mediated by C5a, a fragmentation product of the fifth component of complement. These findings suggest a new biological function for the complement system, i.e., chemotaxis of mononuclear leukocytes, cells which are important in acute inflammation as well as wound healing.