Selective Secretion of Azurophil Granule Contents Induced by Monovalent Cation Ionophores in Human Neutrophils: Evidence for Direct Ionophore Effects on the Granule Membrane

The study of factors contributing to secretion of neutrophil azurophil granules has previously been complicated by the inability to induce their release without concomitant exocytosis of specific granules. This publication describes the action of the first two agents, the Na-ionophore monensin and the K-ionophore nigericin which elicited only secretion of azurophil granules. Secretion depended on H+/alkali ion antiport by the ionophores since it was abolished in Na(+)- and K(+)-poor choline buffer. The secretagogue effects of both ionophores did not correlate with changes either in cytoplasmic pH or in transmembrane potential and were not associated with Ca-transients, but were closely associated with azurophil granule alkalinization suggesting that the secretory event resulted from alkali ion/H+ antiport at the granule membrane. Addition of zinc inhibited azurophil (but not specific) granule secretion in response to monensin, CB/FMLP, and zymosan, indicating that secretion induced by these agents shares a common step(s).