Pertussis toxin inhibits human neutrophil responses mediated by the 42-kilodalton IgG Fc receptor.

The effects of pertussis toxin (PT) on human neutrophil responses mediated by the 42-kDa IgG Fc R (Fc gamma R42) were compared with its effects on responses mediated by the FMLP receptor. Pre-treatment of neutrophils with PT completely inhibited FMLP stimulation of superoxide production and blocked over 95% of FMLP-stimulated degranulation. PT inhibited superoxide production stimulated by Fc gamma R42 cross-linking by 92%. In contrast, degranulation stimulated by Fc gamma R42 was only partially inhibited, with beta-glucuronidase release inhibited by 54%, lysozyme by 33%, and lactoferrin by 78%. With either stimulus, PT inhibition was maximal in the range from 1.8 to 2 micrograms/ml. Responses to both stimuli declined in a parallel fashion with increasing time of exposure to PT with maximal inhibition occurring after 2 h of exposure. Inhibition of FMLP responses and Fc gamma R42-mediated superoxide production, but not degranulation, correlated with ADP-ribosylation of a 45-kDa membrane protein. Inhibition by PT of Fc gamma R42-mediated responses was not due to a change in receptor number. These data suggest that activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils via Fc gamma R42 proceeds through two pathways, only one of which is regulated by a PT-sensitive G protein.