Mode of activation of the metabolic burst in polymorphonuclear leukocytes by calcium oxalate crystals

Microcrystals of calcium oxalate cause an activation of the metabolic burst in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, measured as NBT reduction. Crystal-induced NBT reduction, which was mainly due to superoxide release, was accompanied by enzyme release. Modulation of calcium oxalate-induced activation by several agents resembles the effect of these agents on activation by opsonized zymosan and by phorbol myristate acetate. Both the activation of the metabolic burst and concomitant enzyme release could be counteracted by certain anions, such as oxalate, pyruvate and citrate, indicating that positive charges on the crystals play an important role in crystal-cell interaction. Removal of the negatively charged sialic acid from the cell surface by neuraminidase did not affect the the action of the crystals. The mechanism, by which calcium oxalate activates polymorphonuclear leukocytes, is discussed.