Chemiluminescence in neutrophils and Lettré cells induced by myxoviruses

Luminol-mediated chemiluminescence in neutrophils is stimulated by Sendai virus and by influenza virus; Lettré cells also exhibit chemiluminescence (less than 10% of that of neutrophils), which is stimulated by Sendai virus and by influenza virus. Virally induced permeability changes are not responsible for chemiluminescence, since (i) extracellular Ca2+ inhibits permeability changes but stimulates chemiluminescence, and (ii) influenza virus, which induces permeability changes at pH 5.3 but not at pH 7.4, induces chemiluminescence at either pH. Other agents [zymosan, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, 4-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (phorbol ester), A23187] likewise induce chemiluminescence in the absence of permeability changes.