Surface sulphydryl groups and hexose monophosphate pathway activity in resting human polymorphonuclear leucocytes

The role of surface -SH groups on the hexose monophosphate pathway activity in resting human polymorphonuclear leucocytes was studied. Endotoxin, taurocholic acid and concanvalin A stimulated [I-14C]glucose oxidation to a greater degree than [6-14C]glucose oxidation. The stimulation of glucose-I-C-oxidation by endotoxin, taurocholic acid and concanavalin A could be prevented by p-chloromercurybenzene sulphonic acid, an inhibitor of surface -SH groups. In contrast, polymorphonuclear leucocytes from four patients with chronic granulomatous disease failed to show stimulation of glucose-I-C-oxidation by endotoxin, taurocholic acid or concanavalin A.