Activation and release of enzymes and major basic protein from guinea pig eosinophil granulocytes induced by different inflammatory stimuli and other substances. A histochemical, biochemical, and electron microscopic study.

In order to investigate the availability and release of enzymes from eosinophilic granulocytes in response to a variety of stimuli, guinea pig peritoneal eosinophils were obtained after repeated intraperitoneal injections of freeze-dried Trichinella spiralis larvae. The activities of the enzymes peroxidase, arylsulfatase B, beta-glucuronidase, aminopeptidase, histaminase, cytochrome c oxidase, acid phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase and glucose 6-phosphatase, and the major basic protein (MBP) were studied histochemically and, in part, also biochemically. Eosinophils were incubated with the following substances: histamine, platelet activating factor, calcium ionophore, compound 48/80, leukotriene B4, prostaglandins E1, and E2, heparin, and eosinophil-chemotactic factors from neutrophils and lymphocytes. Eosinophils displayed a selective and stimulus-dependent enzyme and MBP reaction. Calcium ionophore and compound 48/80 provoked a release of cytotoxic major basic protein, partly associated with peroxidase release, while leukotriene B4 and eosinophil chemotactic factors caused histaminase and peroxidase release and activated leucinaminopeptidase. Heparin and calcium ionophore induced release of both MBP and histaminase. These data support the concept that eosinophils exhibit either inflammatory or cytotoxic, or antiinflammatory properties upon stimulation by various agents.