Effect of parathyroid hormone on random migration of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Derangements in leukocyte function occur in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and in those with uremia, which is a state of secondary hyperparathyroidism, suggesting that parathyroid hormone (PTH) may affect leukocyte function. We examined the interaction between PTH and random migration of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) utilizing a modified Boyden chamber. Intact 1-84 PTH but not its amino-terminal (1-34 PTH) or its carboxy-terminal (53-84 PTH) fragments produced marked and significant (p less than 0.01) stimulation of random migration in a dose-dependent manner. Inactivation of 1-84 PTH abolished its effect and other peptide hormones (calcitonin, glucagon, insulin and vasopressin) did not stimulate migration of PMNL. The effect of PTH on migration was not due to action of the hormone on chemotaxis. PTH did not enhance cAMP or cGMP production by PMNL. The stimulation of PMNL motility by PTH was independent of calcium concentration in media, was not mimicked by calcium ionophore and was not blocked by verapamil. Quinidine also produced significant (p less than 0.01) increase in random migration of PMNL and this effect was not additive to that of PTH. Prolonged exposure to PTH (16-20 h) was associated with significant inhibition of random migration of PMNL. The migration of PMNL from patients with advanced renal failure was significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced and there was a significant (p less than 0.01) inverse relationship between random migration of PMNL and serum levels of PTH. Also PTH produced only modest stimulation of random migration of PMNL in most patients with renal failure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)