Priming effect of pseudomonal leukocidin on chemiluminescence response of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

ABSTRACT

To clarify effects of pseudomonal leukocidin (42.5 kd) on chemiluminescence (CL) production of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), rabbit PMNs were stimulated by zymosan or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) after pretreatment with the leukocidin, which by itself stimulated little chemiluminescence response. The extent of CL responses stimulated by zymosan or PMA was respectively 5.3- or 3.5-fold greater in leukocidin (1.5 micrograms/ml)-pretreated PMNs than in non-pretreated ones. The priming effect of the leukocidin was greater than that of G-CSF and related to some steps before NADPH oxidase activation. The increased CL productions might be related to tissue damages caused by pseudomonal infections in vivo.