Metabolism of stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) release superoxide anions formed by a membrane-bound NADPH oxidase induced by stimulations. Properties of the inducers and their antagonists indicate that Ca2+, GTP-binding protein (G-protein), phospholipase C and Ca2+, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (C-kinase) are mainly associated with the stimulation of receptors. Low concentrations of ATP induce the oxidase accompanied by the increase in the intracellular Ca2+ due to the flux from the medium and the storage site. ATP-gamma-S, UTP and ITP are effective but mononucleotides, dinucleotides, GTP and CTP are not. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) which acts as a chemotactic agent and the inducer of the NADPH oxidase is catabolized. It is hydroxylated by a specific cytochrome P450 and then oxidized to a carboxy derivative by a cytosolic alcohol dehydrogenase and a microsomal aldehyde dehydrogenase in PMNL. Active NADPH oxidase was obtained by incubating membrane and cytosolic components of resting PMNL in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Two cytosolic components were obtained by an affinity chromatography on 2',5'-ADP Sepharose. One component is active in the presence of GTP or GTP-gamma-S and the other component in the presence of another cytosolic fraction.