Induction by morpholine of lysosomal alpha-mannosidase and acid phosphatase in rabbit alveolar macrophages in vivo and in vitro.

alpha-Mannosidase and acid phosphatase were induced in alveolar macrophages from the lungs of rabbits following exposure to morpholine. The induction was observed after inhalation of morpholine vapor or when macrophages were cultured in the presence of morpholine. Lysosomal hydrolases were not induced uniformly. In vivo, maximum induction of alpha-mannosidase and acid phosphatase in female rabbits was 1.7-fold and 2-fold, respectively, and in male rabbits, 3-fold and unchanged, respectively. In vitro, maximum hydrolase induction of alpha-mannosidase and acid phosphatase in macrophages from male rabbits was 1.4-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively, and from female rabbits, 1.3-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively. The induction of acid hydrolases in vitro was rapid, reaching a maximum within 4 hr in alveolar macrophages from male rabbits and within 8 hr in those from females. The induction was dose dependent. This study indicates that the lysosomal enzyme system of the alveolar macrophage may be stimulated by a low molecular weight xenobiotic.