Surfactants cause in vitro chemotaxis and chemokinesis of human neutrophils.

The surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADB) cause erythema and leukocyte infiltration on epicutaneous application. To elucidate the mechanism of this inflammatory response, the in vitro effect of the same agents was studied on human neutrophil migration, basophil histamine release, and leukocyte lysosomal enzyme (beta-glucuronidase) release. At concentrations of greater than 0.02%, both surfactants were cytotoxic, as was evident by decreased eosin exclusion, massive histamine and beta-glucuronidase-release, and absent migration of cells. At dilutions of less than 0.002% of both surfactants, viability of cells was normal, and small amounts of histamine and beta-glucuronidase were released at a dilution of 0.001%. The most striking finding was a dose-dependent chemotactic and chemokinetic response at dilutions from 10(-3) to 10(-8)%. These observations offer a possible explanation for the pathomechanisms of irritant dermatitis due to surfactants.