Comparative studies on superoxide anion production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated with various agents

Guinea-pig peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes promoted superoxide anion (O2(-)) generation when stimulated with soluble antigen-antibody complex, concanavalin A or sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enhancement with antigen-antibody complex or concanavalin A was inhibited with diisopropyl fluorophosphate. On the other hand, the enhancement with sodium dodecyl sulfate was not affected by the inhibitor. L-1-pTosylamido-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone (Tos-PheCH2Cl) and tetrahydrofuran also enhanced O2(-) generation even in the presence of diisopropyl fluorophosphate, while at low concentrations they inhibited O2(-) generation with antigen-antibody complex. These results indicate that a certain diisopropyl fluorophosphate-sensitive factor may be involved in the O2(-)-generating response of leukocytes to antigen-antibody complexes or concanavalin A, but not in that to sodium dodecyl sulfate, Tos-PheCH2Cl or tetrahydrofuran.