Evidence for hydroxyl radical production by human neutrophils.

The possibility that neutrophils produce the hydroxyl radical (OH-) was studied by examining the ability of these cells to support the release of ethylene from methional, a reaction in which it has been shown that OH-, but not O2- or H2O2, may serve as the oxidizing agent. When neutrophils were exposed to opsonized zymosan in the presence of 0.35 mM methional, ethylene was released in quantities amounting to 44.6+/-3.6 pmol/10(6) cells/40 min. Ethylene production required the presence of neutrophils, opsonized zymosan, and methional, indicating that it was formed from methional by stimulated but not resting neutrophils. Ethylene was not produced by zymosan-treated cells from patients with chronic granulomatous disease, confirming the requirement for respiratory burst activity in this process. Ethylene production was suppressed by benzoic acid, an OH- scavenger. Superoxide dismutase (3 microgram/ml) reduced ethylene production to 21% of control levels, but catalase had no significant effect in this system. These findings indicate that stimulated neutrophils produce a highly reactive oxidizing radical, possibly OH-, which releases ethylene from methional, and that the O2-generated during the respiratory burst is involved in the production of this reactive species.

Proton secretion by stimulated neutrophils. Significance of hexose monophosphate shunt activity as source of electrons and protons for the respiratory burst.

Phagocytosis by neutrophils is accompanied by a burst in O2 consumption and activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMPS). Proton secretion equal to the amount of O2 consumed is an additional feature of the respiratory burst, but its source has not been identified, nor has the source of all electrons donated to O2 in the respiratory burst. We chemically quantitated total CO2 generation in human neutrophils and found that proton secretion elicited by phagocytosis was accompanied by a stoichiometric increase in CO2 generation. Addition of carbonic anhydrase and its inhibitors had no effect on either the quantities of CO2 measured or the quantities of protons secreted. Therefore, the CO2 generated in the respiratory burst of stimulated neutrophils is hydrated to form H2CO3, which then dissociates, accounting for the observed proton secretion. Furthermore, the CO2 generated corresponds to the O2 consumed with a respiratory quotient of nearly 1. We conclude on the basis of this and previous studies that the HMPS activity is the source of both the electrons for the NADPH oxidase and of protons secreted in association with the respiratory burst.

Proton secretion by the sodium/hydrogen ion antiporter in the human neutrophil.

The reducing equivalents used by the human neutrophil respiratory burst oxidase are derived from NADPH generated by the hexose monophosphate shunt. The CO2 generated by the HMP shunt is spontaneously hydrated and the protons (H+) are secreted upon the dissociation of carbonic acid. The mechanism and significance of H+ secretion by the resting and stimulated neutrophil was investigated. A basal rate of H+ secretion by resting neutrophils observed in a choline buffer was augmented with the addition of sodium (Na+) (Km for Na+ was 3.22 +/- 0.32 mM). Amiloride, a Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitor, reduced H+ secretion in Na+-containing buffers with a Ki = 1.02 microM. This Na+/H+ exchange mechanism was also operative in cells stimulated with a variety of agonists, and an increased H+ flux, relative to resting cells, was observed at higher Na+ concentrations. Cytoplasts incorporating acridine orange were also used to assess Na+-H+ flux. Cytoplasts were used to avoid alteration of the fluorescent pH probe by HOCl formed in intact neutrophils. Alkalinization of the cytoplasm was dependent on extracellular Na+ in concentrations similar to that found to augment H+ secretion in intact cells. Also, amiloride competitively inhibited H+ secretion by the cytoplasts. Both superoxide (O2-) production and lysozyme release in cells stimulated with opsonized zymosan or concanavalin A was significantly inhibited in the absence of Na+, restored to normal with the addition of Na+ in low concentrations, and inhibited again in the presence of amiloride. A Na+/H+ antiporter similar to that found in other cell types is present in the human neutrophil and appears linked to activation of the respiratory burst and degranulation.

Biochemical requirements for singlet oxygen production by purified human myeloperoxidase.

The myeloperoxidase (MPO)-hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-halide systems were found to produce chemiluminescence at 1,268 nm, a characteristic emission band for singlet oxygen (1O2). The emission was enhanced by a factor of 29 +/- 5 in deuterium oxide and was inhibited by the 1O2 quenchers, histidine and azide ion. Inactivation of MPO with heat or with cyanide ion prevented light production. The combined weight of all data strongly supported the production of 1O2 by these enzyme systems. The amount of 1O2 produced was sensitive to the conditions employed. Under optimal conditions at pH 5, the MPO-H2O2-bromide (Br-) system produced 0.42 +/- 0.03 mol 1O2/mol H2O2 consumed, close to the theoretical value of 0.5 that was predicted by the reaction stoichiometry. In contrast, the MPO-H2O2-chloride (Cl-) system was much less efficient. The maximum yield of 1O2 was 0.09 +/- 0.02 mol/mol H2O2 consumed and required pH 4 and 5 mM H2O2. At higher pH, the 1O2 production rapidly decreased. The yield at pH 7 was 0.0004 +/- 0.0002 mol/mol H2O2 consumed. Enzyme inactivation was a major factor limiting the yield of 1O2 with both Cl- and Br-. While the MPO-H2O2-halide systems can efficiently produce 1O2, the conditions required are not physiologic, which suggests that the chemiluminescence of the stimulated neutrophil does not derive from 1O2 generated by a MPO mechanism.

Identification of a gC1q-binding protein (gC1q-R) on the surface of human neutrophils. Subcellular localization and binding properties in comparison with the cC1q-R.

Human neutrophils have multiple C1q-binding proteins. Direct ligand-binding studies with the globular domain of C1q and two-dimensional Western blot analysis revealed two gC1q-binding proteins (gC1q-R): a 33,000 M(r) protein (pI 4.5) mainly in the neutrophil plasma membrane and an 80,000-90,000 M(r) protein (pI 4.1-4.2) located mainly in the granules. Direct binding studies showed that C1q bound to this higher molecular weight protein under physiological conditions. In contrast, anti-cC1q-R antibody, which recognizes a protein binding to collagenous tails of C1q, detected only a 68,000 M(r) protein in the plasma membrane. Both the 33,000 and 68,000 M(r) receptors appear early on the surface of differentiating HL-60 cells. On mature neutrophils, surface expression of both C1q receptors was evident, but no upregulation was observed upon stimulation. Phorbol myristate acetate treatment of neutrophils downregulated both the receptors from cell surface, and significant amounts of soluble gC1q-R were in cell media supernatants, suggesting receptor shedding or secretion. gC1q-R, unlike cC1q-R, did not bind to other C1q-like ligands, namely mannose binding protein, surfactant protein-A, surfactant protein-D, or conglutinin under normal ionic conditions, suggesting a greater specificity for C1q than the "collectin" type receptor (cC1q-R). Rather, gC1q-R only bound purified C1q, and the binding was enhanced under low ionic conditions and in the absence of calcium. The role of C1q receptor shedding and its biologic consequence remain to be defined, but may contribute to the diversity of C1q-mediated responses observed in many cell types.

Evidence for a protective role of pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) against influenza A viruses.

We tested the hypothesis that pulmonary surfactant-associated lectins--surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A, and -D)--contribute to initial protective mechanisms against influenza A viruses (IAVs). SP-D potently inhibited hemagglutination activity of several strains of IAV as well as causing viral aggregation. SP-D enhanced neutrophil binding of IAV and neutrophil respiratory burst responses to the virus. Neutrophil dysfunction resulting from IAV exposure was diminished when the virus was pre-incubated with SP-D. Each of these effects was mediated by the calcium-dependent carbohydrate-binding property of SP-D. Native SP-D preparations of both human and rat origin, as well as recombinant rat SP-D, had similar activity. SP-A also inhibited IAV hemagglutination activity. We have previously reported that related mammalian serum lectins (mannose-binding lectin [MBL] and conglutinin) have similar effects. SP-D was at least 10-fold more potent at causing hemagglutination inhibition than were SP-A or MBL. SP-D was shown to contribute to potent anti-IAV activity of human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These results suggest that SP-D--alone, and in conjunction with SP-A and phagocytic cells--constitutes an important component of the natural immune response to IAV infection within the respiratory tract.

Activation of the human neutrophil nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase by protein kinase C.

A variety of phagocytosable and soluble agonists stimulate the human neutrophil respiratory burst enzyme, NADPH-oxidase, an activity required for normal microbicidal function. Of these agonists, the phorbol esters, which stimulate diverse systems by their ability to substitute for diacylglycerol to activate protein kinase C (the major phorbol ester receptor), have now been shown to directly stimulate NADPH-oxidase through this same receptor. Almost 90% of the specific receptors for phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) were found in the cytosol upon subcellular fractionation. The dissociation constant for [3H]PDBu was 1.2 nM. No significant difference was found in the distribution of the receptor between subcellular fractions from resting as compared with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated neutrophils. On the basis of these binding studies, we were able to establish a reconstituted system in which PMA activated dormant NADPH-oxidase in a light membrane fraction when cytosol, NADPH, phosphatidylserine, or phosphatidylinositol and ATP were added. The calcium chelator, EGTA, inhibited the activation, which suggested a requirement for calcium at low concentrations. The half-maximally effective PMA dose was 1.1 nM, as predicted from the receptor content in these preparations. Reconstitution of oxidase activity was rapid, peaking within 1 min of incubation. Purified protein kinase C was able to substitute for the cytosol fraction, and accounted for 80% of the cytosol activity. These studies demonstrate that phorbol esters stimulate the neutrophil respiratory burst through activation of cytosolic protein kinase C, which in turn activates either a regulatory constituent or the NADPH-oxidase directly in the plasma membrane to generate an active O-2-generating system.

Human mannose-binding protein functions as an opsonin for influenza A viruses.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) cause substantial morbidity and mortality in yearly epidemics, which result from the ability of the virus to alter the antigenicity of its envelope proteins. Despite the rapid replication of this virus and its ability to infect a wide variety of cell types, viremia is rare and the infection is generally limited to the upper respiratory tract. The preimmune host defense response against IAV is generally, therefore, successful. We have previously provided (and summarized) evidence that neutrophils contribute to defense against IAV, although neutrophil dysfunction and local tissue damage may be less salutory byproducts of this response. Here we provide evidence that the serum lectin mannose-binding protein directly inhibits hemagglutinin activity and infectivity of several strains of IAV. In addition mannose-binding protein acts as an opsonin, enhancing neutrophil reactivity against IAV. Opsonization of IAV by mannose-binding protein also protects the neutrophil from IAV-induced dysfunction. These effects are observed with physiologically relevant concentrations of mannose-binding protein. Two different allelic forms of recombinant mannose-binding protein are found to have similar effects. We believe, on the basis of these data, that mannose-binding protein alone and in conjunction with phagocytic cells is an important constituent of natural immunity (i.e., preimmune defense) against IAV.

Role of gelsolin in actin depolymerization of adherent human neutrophils.

Human neutrophils generally function adherent to an extracellular matrix. We have previously reported that upon adhesion to laminin- or fibronectin-coated, but not uncoated, plastic there is a depolymerization of actin in neutrophils. This phenomenon was not affected by inhibitors of the more well-studied components of the signal transduction pathway, specifically, pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G-proteins, H-7 or staurosporine, inhibitors of protein kinase C, or herbimycin A, an inhibitor of nonreceptor tyrosine kinase. We therefore focused our attention on actin-binding proteins and measured the changes in the partitioning of gelsolin between the Triton X-100-soluble and -insoluble cellular fractions which occur upon neutrophil adhesion by means of quantitating anti-gelsolin antibody binding to aliquots of these fractions. It was found that approximately 90% of the total cellular gelsolin was found in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction in suspended cells, but that upon adherence to either fibronectin- or laminin-coated plastic about 40% of the soluble gelsolin could be detected in the insoluble fraction. This effect was not observed in cells adherent to uncoated plastic, wherein more than 90% of the gelsolin was found in the soluble fraction. Results of immunofluorescence microscopy of these cell preparations was consistent with this data. A gelsolin translocation to the insoluble cellular actin network may account for a part of the observed actin depolymerization.

Contrasting actions of staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, on human neutrophils and primary mouse epidermal cells.

Staurosporine, a recently described microbial alkaloid, is uniquely potent as an inhibitor of protein kinase C in vitro, being active at nM concentrations rather than the microM concentrations typical of other inhibitor classes. Like these other inhibitors, however, staurosporine exhibits only limited selectivity among different protein kinases. We report here that, in intact human neutrophils, nM concentrations of staurosporine blocked the action of the phorbol ester tumor promoters. In mouse primary epidermal cells, on the other hand, staurosporine failed to block the effects of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate on epidermal growth factor binding and on induction of ornithine decarboxylase and epidermal transglutaminase. Unexpectedly, staurosporine induced morphological changes in keratinocytes to a dendritic shape resembling that induced by the phorbol esters. It also induced epidermal transglutaminase and cornified envelope production, markers of the differentiative pathway in the epidermal cells. We conclude that the effectiveness of staurosporine as a protein kinase C inhibitor in intact cells may depend markedly on the cell system. Other actions of staurosporine may predominate, and, in keratinocytes, its activity is suggestive of a tumor promoter rather than of an inhibitor of tumor promotion.

Annexin I interactions with human neutrophil specific granules: fusogenicity and coaggregation with plasma membrane vesicles.

The interactions of annexin I with specific granules isolated from human neutrophils were investigated. Unfractionated cytosol induced Ca(2+)-dependent granule self-aggregation and fusion of granules with model phospholipid vesicles. High Ca2+ concentrations were required for these processes (500-600 microM for the half-maximal rate of granule self-aggregation; 100-200 microM for the half-maximal rate of fusion with phospholipid vesicles). These activities were inhibited by a monoclonal antibody specific for annexin I and immunodepletion of cytosol by this antibody greatly reduced activity, implicating annexin I as the major mediator of these processes in neutrophil cytosol. The fact that the Ca2+ concentration dependences differed for different membranes suggests that specificity may be controlled by the type of intracellular membrane involved and the local Ca2+ concentration. Trypsin treatment of granules enhanced the rate of fusion of phospholipid vesicles with granules, suggesting that access to phospholipids in the granule membrane may be modulated by granule proteins or that a fusogenic protein factor in the granule membrane is activated by trypsin treatment. Coaggregation of specific granules with plasma membrane vesicles mediated by Ca2+ and annexin I was suggested by the fact that granules preincubated with Ca2+, cytosol and plasma membrane vesicles blocked the fusion of subsequently added phospholipid vesicles with the plasma membrane vesicles. These data suggest a role for annexin I as part of a multiprotein system involved in membrane-membrane contact necessary for exocytosis of specific granules in human neutrophils.

Annexin-mediated membrane fusion of human neutrophil plasma membranes and phospholipid vesicles.

Membrane fusion was studied using human neutrophil plasma membrane preparations and phospholipid vesicles approximately 0.15 microns in diameter and composed of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine in a ratio of 1 to 3. Liposomes were labeled with N-(7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD) and lissamine rhodamine B derivatives of phospholipids. Apparent fusion was detected as an increase in fluorescence of the resonance energy transfer donor, NBD, after dilution of the probes into unlabeled membranes. 0.5 mM Ca2+ alone was sufficient to cause substantial fusion of liposomes with a plasma membrane preparation but not with other liposomes. Both annexin I and des(1-9)annexin I caused a substantial increase in the rate of fusion under these conditions while annexin V inhibited fusion. Fusion mediated by des(1-9)annexin I was observed at Ca2+ concentrations as low as approximately 5 microM, suggesting that the truncated form of this protein may be active at physiologically low Ca2+ concentrations. Trypsin treated plasma membranes were incapable of fusion with liposomes, suggesting that plasma membrane proteins may mediate fusion. Liposomes did not fuse with whole cells at any Ca2+ concentration, indicating that the cytoplasmic side of the membrane is involved. These results suggest that annexin I and unidentified plasma membrane proteins may play a role in Ca(2+)-dependent degranulation of human neutrophils.

Structural characterization of the isoenzymatic forms of human myeloperoxidase.

Myeloperoxidase from human neutrophils was isolated by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography and shown by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be comprised of alpha and beta subunits with apparent Mr values of 58,000 and 15,000, respectively. The apparent Mr of the native protein was 130,000-140,000, indicating that the holoenzyme has the quaternary structure alpha 2 beta 2. Automated Edman degradation of the separated alpha and beta subunits showed that the amino-terminal sequences were different from one another and demonstrated no sequence microheterogeneity. Comparison of these sequences with those in the National Biomedical Research Foundation data bank of protein sequences revealed that the subunits of human myeloperoxidase were not homologous to any known protein. Myeloperoxidase purified from HL-60 cells grown in culture demonstrated the same alpha 2 beta 2 subunit structure. Three isoenzymes of myeloperoxidase, prepared by gradient elution from a CM-Sepharose column, underwent quantitative analysis. No structural basis for the different elution pattern of the myeloperoxidase isoenzymes was discerned by amino-acid analysis, N-terminal sequence, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or digestion with neuraminidase or enzymes known to cleave N-linked heterosaccharides. The structural basis for the myeloperoxidase isoenzymes of human neutrophils, each possessing equivalent activity, is not apparent from these studies.

Subcellular distribution and characterization of GTP-binding proteins in human neutrophils.

The subcellular distribution of GTP binding proteins in human neutrophils and their functional coupling to the N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP) receptor was characterized to provide insight into mechanisms of cellular activation. Human neutrophils were nitrogen cavitated and fractionated on discontinuous Percoll gradients. Four subcellular fractions were obtained: cytosol, light membranes enriched for plasma membranes, specific granules and azurophilic granules. ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by pertussis toxin (PT) revealed a major substrate of 40 kDa only in plasma membrane and cytosol, and antiserum specific for Gi alpha confirmed the presence of neutrophil Gi alpha in plasma membrane and cytosol and its absence from specific granules. The cytosolic PT substrate was shown to be mostly in monomeric form by molecular sieve chromatography. The rate of the ribosyltransferase reaction was several-fold lower in cytosol compared to plasma membranes, and the extent of ADP-ribosylation was greatly augmented by supplementation with beta gamma subunits in cytosol. ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by cholera toxin (CT) revealed substrates of 52, 43 and 40 kDa in plasma membrane alone. FMLP receptors in plasma membrane were shown to be coupled to the 40 kDa substrate for CT by ligand-modulation of ADP-ribosylation, while FMLP added to specific granules did not induce ribosylation of this substrate even though FMLP receptors were found in high density in this compartment. Both 24 and 26 kDa [32P]GTP binding proteins were found to codistribute with FMLP receptors in specific granules and plasma membranes. Functional evidence for the coupling of GTP binding proteins to the FMLP receptor in specific granules was obtained by modulating [3H]FMLP binding with GTP gamma S, and by accelerating [35S]GTP gamma S binding with FMLP.

Nisoldepine inhibits formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe) receptor-coupled calcium transport in human neutrophils.

The formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe) dependent Ca2+ uptake by human neutrophils consists of at least two components, one of which is sensitive to dihydropyridine derivatives. Inhibition by dihydropyridine derivatives showed the rank order of nisoldepine greater than nitrendipine greater than nimodepine greater than/Bay K 8644. The nisoldepine-sensitive calcium uptake exhibited an ID50 of 1.5 microM and maximal inhibition were observed at 5 microM. Neither calcium efflux or [3H]fMet-Leu-Phe binding was affected by nisoldepine up to 10 microM. The inhibition of nisoldepine was inversely proportional to the extracellular calcium concentration. Unlabeled nisoldepine and other dihydropyridine derivatives displaced the specific binding of [3H]PN 200-110 to human neutrophils. Our data suggest a relationship between dihydropyridine binding and the inhibition of fMet-Leu-Phe-dependent Ca2+ uptake.

Specific binding of haptoglobin to human neutrophils and its functional consequences.

Haptoglobin, an acute phase reactant protein, has been shown to modulate various facets of immune responses. In this paper we examined the effect of haptoglobin on human neutrophils at the molecular level. First, we found that native haptoglobin binds at two distinct sites on neutrophils. We then examined the effects of this binding at normal and pathophysiological concentrations of haptoglobin found in human serum. Of the various functional parameters assessed, neutrophil respiratory burst activity, as assessed by superoxide (O2-) production, was inhibited by native haptoglobin when the cells were stimulated with formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine (FMLP), arachidonic acid (AA), and opsonized zymosan. The rise in intracellular calcium induced by FMLP stimulation was also inhibited by native haptoglobin. Since the generation of O2- was unaffected by native haptoglobin in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated neutrophils, the likely site of haptoglobin inhibition on neutrophil function is at a point of receptor-ligand interaction in the activation cascade. The role of haptoglobin as a modifier of the immune response has here been extended to altered neutrophil function stimulated by diverse agonists.

Human neutrophil respiratory burst response to influenza A virus occurs at an intracellular location.

We have studied in detail the in vitro interactions of influenza A viruses (IAVs) with human neutrophils to clarify why these cells become dysfunctional during IAV infection. Unosponized IAV elicited a respiratory burst response in neutrophils which, like that triggered by formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), involved mediation of signal-transducing GTP-binding proteins and tyrosine kinase activation. The IAV-induced response differed from that provoked by fMLP in that H2O2 was produced without concomitant O2- release. IAV also did not cause extracellular release of granule enzymes in cytochalasin B-treated neutrophils. Using chemiluminescence assays, the respiratory burst response to IAV was found to occur at an intracellular location. These findings may, in part, explain the anomalous nature of the respiratory burst response elicited by IAV and suggest strategies for determining the mechanism of IAV-induced neutrophil deactivation.

Influenza A virus and the neutrophil: a model of natural immunity.

Natural immune reactions are mediated by lymphocytes, macrophages/monocytes, and neutrophils. The latter have been implicated in a variety of self-surveillance models, i.e., activity against malignant host cells, participation in wound repair, and infliction of damage in postischemic perfusion injury. Better characterized are the interactions with unopsonized pathogens through lectinophagocytosis mechanisms, where the lectin resides either on the phagocyte or on the microorganism. This review examines the infection by influenza A virus (IAV) of the human neutrophil, which results in the vigorous metabolic response of the cell to generate toxic oxygen species. This response is not necessarily characteristic of response to unopsonized particles, as the neutrophil exhibits no such activity to unopsonized zymosan or chlamydia. The virus elicits calcium mobilization from intracellular stores through a pertussis toxin-insensitive mechanism, and in its particulars the activation cascade is unique in comparison to any other characterized agonist. The putative receptor for the IAV binding protein, hemagglutinin (HA), contains the sialic acid residues; identification of specifically linked protein receptors will allow characterization of this stimulation pathway and will define the molecular biology of this activation sequence. Insight into this particular pathway may allow definition of a primitive recognition system that represents a fundamental basis for discernment of self and nonself entities.

Anomalous features of human neutrophil activation by influenza A virus are shared by related viruses and sialic acid-binding lectins.

Influenza A virus (IAV) causes both activation and deactivation of the human neutrophil, which may, respectively, contribute to host defense against the virus and enhanced susceptibility to bacterial superinfection. We have shown that certain features of neutrophil activation by IAV are distinctive compared with activation by chemoattractants in terms of both the stoichiometry of the respiratory burst response and the signal transduction events that precede it. We here demonstrate that related myxoviruses as well as sialic acid-binding lectins elicit a respiratory burst response similar to that induced by IAV, in which hydrogen peroxide is formed with minimal accompanying superoxide generation. Brief preincubation of neutrophils with these agents fully inhibits subsequent activation by IAV, implying that they are binding to the same surface membrane components as IAV. Preincubation with Limax flavus agglutinin (LFA) does, in fact, substantially reduce binding of radiolabeled IAV to the neutrophil. This lectin, like IAV, both activates and deactivates the neutrophil. As in the case of IAV, LFA-induced activation (1) is mediated via stimulation of phospholipase C, (2) is pertussis toxin insensitive, and (3) entails a lesser contribution of calcium influx than is the case for chemoattractants.

The role of the Na+/H+ antiporter in human neutrophil NADPH-oxidase activation.

The Na+/H+ antiporter has been shown to regulate activation of the human neutrophil. To delineate the role of the antiporter in the stimulation cascade, superoxide [O2-) generation was observed in PMA-stimulated neutrophils in which intracellular pH (pHi) was artificially manipulated by the use of nigericin, a K+/H+ ionophore, with and without use of the Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitor, dimethylamiloride (DA). Decreased O2- generation was observed in a Na+-free, 140 mM K+ buffer, but addition of nigericin restored this parameter of neutrophil activation to levels found in physiologic Na+ media. Further, the inhibitory effects of DA on O2- generation by cells incubated in a 10 mM Na+, 130 mM K+ buffer were totally reversed by a similar concentration of nigericin. O2- generated by a membrane preparation of the NADPH-oxidase, made from cells incubated under the same experimental conditions, paralleled whole cell studies, but the activity of the oxidase did not vary when suspended in the various reaction mixtures. These experiments support the role of the Na+/H+ antiporter in neutrophil activation as a metabolic regulator of pHi that influences receptor-coupled reactions proximal to expression of the NADPH-oxidase itself.