Antibody-coated target cell membrane-induced chemiluminescence by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Activation of the oxidative metabolic burst of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) by antibody-coated crude membrane fragments of K562 tumor cells was measured in a luminometer. Induction of the chemiluminescence (Cl) response was measured in the presence of luminol and lucigenin. The Cl was dependent on the concentration of PMN, the enhancer luminol or lucigenin, and the amount of tumor cell fragments and anti-K562 serum. PMN were not triggered to a Cl response in the absence of antibodies. The lucigenin-enhanced Cl involved superoxide anion detection while the luminol-enhanced Cl was dependent on the presence of myeloperoxidase and involved hydroxyl radicals. An intact cytoskeleton and energy were necessary for an optimal Cl response.