Impairment of isoproterenol, H2 histamine, and prostaglandin E1 response of human granulocytes after incubation in vitro with live influenza vaccines.

The release of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase from granulocytes follows incubation in vitro with complement-activated zymosan particles. Release of beta-glucuronidase is inhibited by isoproterenol, histamine, and prostaglandin E1. This in vitro model was used to study the effect of incubating a live, bivalent (A + B) influenza vaccine on the granulocyte response to the agonists described. After incubation in vitro with the live, bivalent influenza vaccine, there was a significantly impaired granulocyte reponse to all 3 agonists. The change in the response of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to isoproterenol was similar to an impairment in beta-adrenergic response found during respiratory infections in vivo. The viral-induced changes in the granulocyte response to isoproterenol may reflect similar alteration in other tissues, such as variable control of the airways and provide one explanation for the occurrence of airway dysfunction during respiratory infections.