Activation of permeabilized neutrophils: role of anions

Activation of neutrophils was recently reported to be accompanied by large changes in their Cl- content [J. B. Myers, H. F. Cantiello, J. H. Schwartz, and A. I. Tauber. Am. J. Physiol. 259 (Cell Physiol. 28): C531-C540, 1990]. The significance of these ionic changes to the immune response has not been studied. To evaluate the role of intracellular [Cl-], the anionic composition of the cytosol was varied in human neutrophils permeabilized by electroporation or by treatment with streptolysin O. In Cl(-)-rich media, permeabilized but otherwise untreated cells remained quiescent, resembling unstimulated intact cells. In contrast, suspension of permeabilized cells in Cl(-)-depleted media elicited protein phosphorylation, actin polymerization, secretion of lysozyme, and a respiratory burst. The latter was demonstrated by several criteria to be mediated by the NADPH oxidase. The responses observed in Cl(-)-depleted media were insensitive to pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin but were inhibited by addition of GDP or by omission of ATP. The data suggest that an early event in signal transduction, common to several effectors, is sensitive to the ionic composition of the cytosol. This component, possibly a GTP-binding protein, may be affected by the anion concentration changes reported to occur during physiological stimulation of neutrophils.