Hormonal Control of Neutrophil Lysosomal Enzyme Release: Effect of Epinephrine on Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate

Human neutrophilic leukocytes release neutral protease and beta-glucuronidase during cell contact with, and phagocytosis of, zymosan particles treated with rheumatoid arthritic serum. Release of lysosomal enzymes is inhibited by epinephrine and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP), but not by phenylephrine or adenosine 5'-monophosphate. Inhibition of enzyme release by epinephrine may be mediated by cyclic AMP because the cyclic AMP in the neutrophils is increased by epinephrine treatment at the time when enzyme release is reduced.