Generation of superoxide by immunologically stimulated normal human neutrophils and possible modulation by intracellular and extracellular SOD and rheumatoid factors.

Rheumatoid synovial fluids generated significantly greater amounts of superoxide, lysosomal enzymes, and superoxide dismutase from neutrophils into extracellular fluid than osteoarthritic synovial fluids. Rheumatoid factors isolated from serum suppressed superoxide-generating activity of performed immune complexes, but did not suppress that of intermediate-sized immune complexes isolated from RA serum. Synovial fluid neutrophils has a greater capacity to generate superoxide and lower intracellular superoxide dismutase activity, compared with peripheral neutrophils of the corresponding patients. These results suggest that neutrophil superoxide release may be modulated, both by rheumatoid factor and by intracellular and extracellular superoxide dismutase.