Lymphocytes possess an electrogenic H(+)-transporting pathway in their plasma membrane.

The existence of an electrogenic H(+)-transporting pathway similar to that described in the plasma membrane of granulocytes and macrophages is reported in pig peripheral lymphocytes. The function of the H(+)-transport pathway can only be detected when free movement of charge-compensating cations is allowed. H+ transport is stimulated by arachidonic acid and various unsaturated fatty acids, and inhibited by bivalent cations, with the following sequence of efficiency: Zn2+ > Cd2+ = Co2+ = Ni2+ > Mn2+ > Ba2+ = Ca2+ = Mg2+. The transport pathway is activated by intracellular acidification and by NN'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, but it is not influenced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. As pig peripheral lymphocytes are not able to produce O2-., it is suggested that the operation of the electrogenic H+ conductance does not require the assembly of a functional NADPH oxidase.