Hormonal Control of Lysosomal Enzyme Release from Human Neutrophils: Elevation of Cyclic Nucleotide Levels by Autonomic Neurohormones

The influence of autonomic neurohormones on the immunologic release of beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) from, and the cyclic nucleotide levels in, human neutrophils was determined. Interaction of neutrophils with rheumatoid arthritic, serum-treated zymosan particles in a neutral balanced salt solution at 37 degrees resulted in the extracellular discharge of beta-glucuronidase without any loss of cell viability, as indicated by the failure of incubated cells to take up eosin Y or to release cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27). Epinephrine reduced the release of beta-glucuronidase from neutrophils in the presence of zymosan during 2-30 min of incubation and elicited a concomitant elevation of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate levels. Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, but not phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist, blocked both actions of epinephrine. Acetylcholine stimulated the release of beta-glucuronidase, but not lactate dehydrogenase, and provoked a concomitant elevation of guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate levels. Atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, but not hexamethonium, a ganglionic blocker, inhibited both actions of acetylcholine. Interaction of neutrophils and zymosan particles resulted in an elevation of guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate levels within 2 min. These data suggest that intracellular guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate may be involved in mediating the immunologic release of lysosomal enzymes from human neutrophils whereas adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate may inhibit enzyme release. Moreover, autonomic neurohormones appear to be capable of modulating lysosomal enzyme release by virtue of their capacity to elevate neutrophil cyclic nucleotide levels.