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Superoxide production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes

A cytochemical approach

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Summary

Phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes triggers a burst of oxidative metabolism resulting in hydrogen peroxide and superoxide production, and these active oxygen species function in the killing of microorganisms. A new cytochemical technique, based on a manganese dependent diaminobenzidine oxidation, has been developed to detect superoxide in these cells. It has been shown that superoxide generation is associated with the plasma membrane in cells activated by particulate (zymosan) and nonparticulate (phorbol myristate acetate) stimuli. This membraned activity is maintained during invagination such that reduced oxygen is generated within the endocytic vacuoles. Reaction product is absent from unstimulated cells; additionally, formation of precipitate is blocked by omission of Mn++, low temperature, glutaraldehyde prefixation, and the presence of superoxide dismutase in the incubation medium.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Science Center, Smith College, 01063, Northampton, MA, USA

    R. T. Briggs

  2. Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    J. M. Robinson & M. J. Karnovsky

  3. Department of Biological Chemistry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    M. L. Karnovsky

Authors
  1. R. T. Briggs
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  2. J. M. Robinson
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  3. M. L. Karnovsky
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  4. M. J. Karnovsky
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In honour of Prof. P. van Duijn

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Briggs, R.T., Robinson, J.M., Karnovsky, M.L. et al. Superoxide production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Histochemistry 84, 371–378 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00482965

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