The interactive effects of fluoride and N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine on superoxide production and cAMP levels in human neutrophils.

The kinetics of superoxide (O2-) production and intracellular cAMP levels were monitored in human neutrophils incubated in vitro with sodium fluoride and the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP). F- activation of both the O2- -generating system, NAD(P)H oxidase, and adenylate cyclase was characterized by a prolonged lag period of 8 to 10 min at 37 degrees C. Adenylate cyclase agonists or cAMP analogues which inhibited FMLP-induced O2- bursts did not affect O2- production of F- -activated cells. Prior treatment of cells with F- suppressed the short rapid burst elicited by FMLP but not the binding of the tripeptide. FMLP reciprocally decreased the lag period of the F- -induced burst by 40 to 50% and, in the case of cells incubated at temperatures below 37 degrees C, increased the rate of O2- production. A similar potentiating effect of FMLP on F- -induced elevation of intracellular cAMP levels was observed.