FROM THE PREFACE: Chemotaxis and inflammation, like as other biological processes, can be divided into humoral and cellular components. In this simplest sense soluble activators or mediators of host or external origin interact with cells that respond to signals received and transmitted via specific membrane receptors. The biological consequences are dramatic, and the biochemical mechanisms are complex and interrelated through a series of cascades that may involve several chemical messengers of different chemical classes. Volumes 162 and 163 of Methods in Enzymology cover in Vitro and in Vivo methodology that has been developed for the purpose of studying the biochemistry of these active humoral factors and the biology of the cells and their receptors that respond to the various signals....The literature dealing with chemotaxis and inflammation is extensive and new techniques are constantly being developed. Therefore, some selection has been necessary to include the most commonly used and generally applicable techniques. Newer methods often involve significant modifications of established procedures, and these innovations have been included.