Regulation of enzyme release from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes: further evidence for the independent regulation of granule subpopulations.

Addition of 5-20 mM LiCl to purified human polymorphonuclear leukocytes led to the release of lysozyme, the specific granule constituent, but not the release of elastase which is in azurophilic granules. In contrast, 2.5-10 micrograms cytochalasin D/mL induced the release of both lysozyme and elastase. Addition of lipopolysaccharide to leukocytes did not induce enzyme release but primed cells for enhanced release induced by cytochalasin D. Lipopolysaccharide also primed cells for enhanced release of lysozyme by either N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLP) or Li+ but did not prime cells for elastase release by these stimuli. In contrast, fMLP + cytochalasin D interacted synergistically, leading to enhanced elastase release but not lysozyme release from the cells. Additional experiments with combinations of secretagogues and lipopolysaccharide yielded results consistent with the hypothesis that specific granules and subpopulations of azurophilic granules are under separate regulation and, thus, may be influenced by separate elements of intracellular second messenger systems.