Effects of cytochalasin D on shape and fluid pinocytosis in human neutrophils as related to cytoskeletal changes (actin, alpha-actinin and microtubules).

We report that cytochalasin D (CD) is not a reliable tool to inhibit all forms of cell motility and actin polymerization in neutrophil granulocytes. In addition to the well-established effects of CD such as altered localization of F-actin, inhibition of surface ruffling, fluid pinocytosis and actin polymerization in agonist-stimulated cells, we find that in human neutrophils CD can 1) induce another type of continuous shape changes (10(-6) M and 10(-5) M CD), 2) stimulate fluid pinocytosis (10(-5) M CD), 3) increase actin polymerization (10(-5) to 10(-4) M CD) and alter the localization of F-actin and alpha-actinin (10(-6) to 10(-4) M CD). At 10(-5) M CD F-actin and alpha-actinin are preferentially located in different areas of the cell. At 10(-4) M CD actin and alpha-actinin may colocalize at the membrane but not in cytoplasmic foci. Thus, stimulation of shape changes, pinocytosis, actin polymerization and differential reorganization of the cytoskeleton occur at CD concentrations which are widely used to inhibit cell motility. The results show that CD is not a reliable tool to inhibit all movements of cells and actin polymerization in general. Shape changes, but not fluid pinocytosis and the relative redistribution of F-actin and alpha-actinin induced by 10(-5) M cytochalasin D are suppressed by 10(-5) colchicine. This indicates that also microtubules can play a role in determining neutrophil shape and movements.