Determination of macrophage chemotaxis to atherosclerotic plaque extract in domestic turkeys with hypertension.

The chemotactic activity of turkey peritoneal macrophages in response to an atherosclerotic plaque extract from a hypertensive strain of turkeys was determined. Atherosclerotic plaque extract stimulated macrophage chemotaxis, whereas normal aortic extract did not stimulate macrophage chemotaxis. However, differences were not revealed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of extracts of atherosclerotic plaque and normal aorta. Chemotactic activity was diminished with pronase treatment, suggesting the chemo-attractant is a protein. Seemingly, atherosclerotic plaque of turkeys contains a macrophage chemotaxin.