Mechanisms of lysosomal enzyme release from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Effects of phorbol myristate acetate.

PMA enhanced release of the azurophil granule enzyme, beta-glucuronidase, as well as lysozyme, from cytochalasin B-treated PMN's exposed to either zymosan particles or C5a. PMA was active at nanomolar concentrations, was not toxic to the cells, and was most effective when present for brief durations (0-1 min) before exposure of the cells to the stimuli. Beta-glucuronidase was not released in significant amounts from PMN's exposed to PMA alone, in the absence of stimuli such as zymosan or C5a. In contrast, only the specific granule enzyme, lysozyme, was released from unstimulated cells. Electron micrographs of cells exposed to PMA revealed an increase in the number of visible cytoplasmic microtubules as compared to control cells. Enhancement of lysosomal enzyme (beta-glucuronidase) release by PMA appears to be independent of effects on release of specific granule enzymes (lysozyme), but rather is likely due to PMA-induced elevations of cellular cGMP.