The effect of cytochalasin B on the superoxide production by alveolar macrophages obtained from normal rabbit lungs.

Resident alveolar macrophages and lung lavage fluids were obtained from normal rabbit lungs. Superoxide production by alveolar macrophages exposed to lung lavage fluids and cytochalasin B was measured by superoxide dismutase-inhibitable nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction. Glycogen-elicited peritoneal macrophages were used as a control. Cytochalasin B, as well as lung lavage fluids, enhanced superoxide production by resting alveolar macrophages. The cytochalasin B-induced superoxide production was associated with enhanced attachment to glass and with remarkable alterations of the cell surface morphology, probably relating to interference with the microfilament functions of cells. On the other hand, glycogen-elicited peritoneal macrophages showed only a slight production of superoxide when exposed to the same stimulants.