Stimulatory effect of latex and zymosan particles on cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate content in human granulocytes

Abstract

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes respond to latex beads and opsonized zymosan particles with increased cyclic AMP formation. The enhancement of cyclic AMP content in cells is related to particle concentration in the incubation medium and to the time of exposure. The temporary stimulation declines after 15 min of phagocytosis, that is in good relation to the uptake of latex particles which reaches saturation point 10 min after the addition of the beads. The cyclic AMP content in granulocytes decreases after between 15 and 30 min of incubation with latex particles. The decrease is not caused by the loss of the granulocyte viability for: (a) the incorporation of labeled methyldeoxythymidine and uridine into macromolecules continues, (b) the sensitivity of phagocytosing granulocytes to prostaglandin E 1 stimulation of cyclic AMP production persists, (c) less than 10% of cells absorbs trypan blue dye after phagocytosis of latex beads. The prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, aspirin and indomethacin, have no effect on cyclic AMP content in phagocytosing granulocytes.