Human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor: an effective direct activator of human polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was shown to modulate different granulocyte functions. In the present study we investigated the effect of purified and recombinant human GM-CSF, particularly on the oxidative metabolism of isolated human granulocytes. In addition, ultrastructural changes upon stimulation were evaluated. For detection of granulocyte activation the following assay systems were used: 1) lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL), 2) superoxide-dismutase (SOD) inhibitable cytochrome C-reduction (superoxide), 3) horseradish peroxidase-mediated oxidation of phenol red (hydrogen peroxide), 4) release of myeloperoxidase, 5) ultrastructural detection of hydrogen peroxide-production, and 6) scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively). A significant CL response was seen upon stimulation with recombinant human GM-CSF at concentrations ranging from 1 to 10(3) U/ml. The CL response started within 5-10 min with a maximum at 60-90 min and lasted more than 3 h. Thereafter granulocytes were completely deactivated to restimulation with the same mediator and with Tumor Necrosis Factor, but responded to other triggers of the oxidative burst, whereas the response to f-met-leu-phe was significantly increased. The CL signal was completely blocked by an antiserum to GM-CSF. Moreover, the response was significantly inhibited by SOD and D-Mannitol, suggesting the involvement of distinct reactive oxygen species (ROS) in generating the CL response. Significant amounts of superoxide were detected within 180 min after stimulation with GM-CSF, whereas release of hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase were only minimal as shown by functional and ultrastructural assays. Activation of granulocytes could be visualized by SEM and TEM. GM-CSF stimulated cells showed an increased adherence to the substratum developing polarized filopodia and an increased number of intracellular vesicles within 30 min after addition of the stimulus. The results clearly demonstrate that GM-CSF directly stimulates granulocytes and, particularly, their oxidative metabolism. Therefore, GM-CSF which is probably released by epidermal cells appears to be a candidate for neutrophil activation in the skin, and thereby may play a crucial role in inflammatory skin diseases.