Effects of pharmacologic agents on release of lysosomal enzymes from alveolar mononuclear cells

Several pharmacologic agents were tested for inhibition of phagocyte-induced release of lysosomal enzymes from guinea-pig alveolar mononuclear cells and peritoneal leukocytes. The activities of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase and the cytoplasmic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase were determined in the cells and media following a 2-hour incubation period of cells and zymosan particles. Adrenergic and cholinergic agents, the 3,'5'-adenosine and guanosine cyclic nucleotides, and theophylline had no effect on phagocytosis or release of beta-glucuronidase or lactate dehydrogenase from alveolar cells. Cytochalasin B stimulated lysosomal but not cytoplasmic enzyme release from these cells in the absence of zymosan. Colchicine and hydrocortisone inhibited phagocytosis and beta-glucuronidase extrusion, and phenylbutazone inhibited only beta-glucuronidase release. Colchicine and phenylbutazone also inhibited enzyme release stimulated by cytochalasin B indicating that they were affecting postphagocytic events. The cyclic nucleotides and theophylline were without effect on the peritoneal leukocytes; dexamethasone and phenylbutazone inhibited enzyme release with only the former antagonizing phagocytosis.