Effect of neutrophil activating substances on intracellular generation of phagocyte chemiluminescence by means of luminol-bound microspheres.

The intracellular chemiluminescence of granulocytes was measured by luminol-bound microspheres. After one minute of incubation, which was necessary for the granulocytes to phagocytize microspheres, intracellular chemiluminescence was generated. The intracellular chemiluminescence was enhanced by the introduction of granulocyte stimuli including concanavalin A, phorbol-myristate acetate, and formyl peptides. This incremental effect was the result of certain metabolic changes inside the cells. This newly discovered chemiluminescent reagent promises to be a useful tool for examining metabolic changes inside phagocytic cells.