• 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (2) , 131-144
Abstract
Rabbit alveolar macrophages and human monocyte-derived macrophages released lysosomal enzymes in response to a variety of stimuli. The release of these enzymes appeared to be under the control of at least 2 distinct mechanisms. The 1st involved a rapid release of preformed granule constituents in response to a phagocytic load. This release reaction was concentration- and time-dependent, was not affected by the protein synthesis inhibitors cycloheximide and puromycin, and resulted in a concomitant loss in intracellular enzyme levels. The 2nd mechanism involved a prolonged secretion in response to lower concentrations of stimuli, which increased with time, and was inhibited by cycloheximide and puromycin. The secretion did not result in the loss of intracellular enzyme stores; rather, an induction of enzyme was seen following such stimulation, which resulted in increases in the total concentration within the cultures. This protein synthesis-dependent secretion of acid hydrolases from human macrophages varied for each lysosomal hydrolase and each stimulus. .beta.-Glucosaminidase synthesis and secretion was induced by low-dose opsonized zymosan, by latex particles and by formaldehyde-treated SRBC [sheep red blood cells]. Only the last mentioned stimulus caused release of acid phosphatase although all three particles induced synthesis of the enzyme. None of the stimuli at these concentrations (10:1 particle to cell ratio) caused the release of .beta.-glucuronidase, although the enzyme was releasable if higher stimulus concentrations were used. The enzyme was not induceable under different control in the human macrophage and that the cells may respond in a qualitatively different way to different types of phagocytosable stimuli.