Effects of lysosomotropic amines on human polymorphonuclear leucocyte function.

Lysosomotropic agents interfere with lysosome function. We studied the effects of the lysosomotropic amines: lidocaine, diphenylamine and dansylcadaverine on several functions of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN): enzyme release, phagosome-lysosome fusion, superoxide anion generation upon stimulation with opsonized bacteria, and phagocytosis and killing of opsonized Staphylococcus aureus. Lidocaine depressed all cellular functions tested. Diphenylamine reduced enzyme release and phagosome-lysosome fusion in phagocytosing PMN. This was accompanied by an increase in superoxide anion generation. Dansylcadaverine enhanced enzyme release and phagosome-lysosome fusion, and reduced superoxide anion generation. Neither of these two agents influenced bacterial uptake; bacterial killing was impaired only in dansylcadaverine treated cells. Cadaverine, an analogue that does not penetrate cells, had no effect on any of the functions tested.