Chemiluminescence response of equine alveolar macrophages during stimulation with latex beads, or IgG-opsonized sheep red blood cells.

Isolated equine alveolar macrophages were shown to generate a luminol-dependent light response when challenged with a phagocytic stimulus. The chemiluminescent response was not detected with luminol prepared at 1.0 x 10(-5) or 1.0 x 10(-4) molar concentrations, but was readily quantitated when used at a 1.0 x 10(-3) molar concentration. Challenge of the alveolar macrophages with latex particles or with equine IgG-coated sheep red blood cells elicited the luminol-dependent light response, whereas unchallenged equine alveolar macrophages or those challenged with unopsonized erythrocytes failed to emit light above background levels. Latex-bead-challenged macrophages released 8.06 times the total amount of light as those equine alveolar macrophages challenged with equine IgG-opsonized erythrocytes. This study represents the first investigation on chemiluminescence and equine alveolar macrophages.