Chemotactic peptide receptor-cytoskeletal interactions and functional correlations in differentiated HL-60 cells and human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

We studied the chemotactic peptide receptor/cytoskeletal interactions in HL‐60 cells induced to differentiate with different agents and attempted to correlate these observations with the acquisition of different functional responses. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP‐treated cells showed rapid superoxide anion production in response to N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (FMLP) and slow, sustained response to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Retinoic acid‐induced cells showed a slow, sustained response to both FMLP and PMA. Interferon‐γ‐treated cells produced no superoxide anion on stimulation with FMLP, whereas tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐treated cells showed a slight response. Chemotactic peptide receptor association was the same in the HL‐60 cells treated with different agents, despite marked differences in the superoxide anion generation and actin polymerization responses to FMLP and PMA in these cells. In mature neutrophils chemotactic peptide receptor association with the cytoskeleton was not affected by either pertussis or cholera toxin. However, both toxins inhibited FMLP‐induced actin polymerization and superoxide anion generation. This suggested involvement of a G‐protein similar to Gt, rather than Gi or Gs. Neither toxin had any effect on PMA‐induced superoxide anion generation. These observations indicate that receptor association with the cytoskeleton may not have a significant role in affecting signal recognition and response. Among the several possible roles suggested, clearance of the occupied receptors may be the most important role of the cytoskeletal association. HL‐60 cells induced to differentiate with different agents (because of their varied functional responses) might prove very useful in dissecting the molecular mechanisms regulating stimulus‐induced activation of neutrophils.