Cytochalasin-induced nitroblue tetrazolium dye (NBT) reduction in polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Cytochalasins induce little cytochrome c reduction in intact polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). A strong activation of the respiratory burst is induced by cytochalasin B or by the other cytochalasins, when the dye nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) is used to measure the burst. Cytochalasin B-induced NBT reduction is dependent on calcium, which is mainly derived from intracellular stores. In the presence of NBT an enhanced binding of [3H]cytochalasin B can be observed. The enhanced reduction of NBT by cytochalasin B-treated cells is completely inhibited by pretreatment of the PMNs with pertussis toxin, suggesting the involvement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein in cytochalasin-induced activation of the respiratory burst.