| Abstract: | Several functions of the human neutrophil are dependent upon extracellular calcium for optimal activation. We studied the calcium dependency of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) superoxide generation in response to opsonized zymosan particles and its modulation by the calcium channel antagonist verapamil. PMNs were isolated from anticoagulated blood after Ficoll-Hypaque density centrifugation. The isolated PMNs were incubated with opsonized zymosan particles. The superoxide anion generated was measured by a cytochrome C reduction assay. When PMNs were incubated with opsonized zymosan in a calcium-free buffer, there was 0.45 +/- 0.06 nmol of cytochrome C reduced per 1 X 10(6) PMN per minute. This increased to 0.76 +/- 0.12 nmol per 1 X 10(6) PMN per minute when 0.6 mmol/L Ca++ was present. Moreover, if the PMNs were incubated with cytochalasin B (5 micrograms/ml), the generation of superoxide anion was further enhanced. If the same experiments were conducted in the presence of verapamil, 100 mumol/L, superoxide generation was inhibited by 51.5% +/- 8.4%. For verapamil to inhibit superoxide generation, cytochalasin B was necessary. Our results suggest that verapamil-sensitive calcium channels may exist in human PMNs, and the demonstration of their presence is cytochalasin B-dependent. |
