Release of beta-lysin from platelets caused by antigen-antibody complexes, purified enzymes, and platelet-aggregating substances.

The release of beta-lysin, which followed the intravenous injection of antigen-antibody complexes, did not take place when these complexes were added to citrated whole blood but did occur in heparinized blood. beta-Lysin release in heparinized blood was inhibited by citrate but were reversed by the addition of calcium ions that implicated complement reactions. Fourteen different enzymes were added to platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Streptokinase, neuraminidase, papain, phospholipase C, sulfatase, and trypsin caused platelets to release significant quantities of beta-lysin, whereas elastase, phosphatase, protease, ribonuclease A, hyaluronidase, lipase, and pepsin caused little or no increase in the plasma beta-lysin concentration. One enzyme, fibrinolysin, inactivated beta-lysin faster than it was released. The enzyme-induced release of beta-lysin from PRP was often accompanied by a reduction in the number of platelets. The intravenous injection of streptokinase, neuraminidase, and sulfatase caused in vivo releases of beta-lysin into the plasma. The platelet-aggregating substances collagen, arachidonic acid, and adenosine 5'-diphosphate caused beta-lysin to be released from PRP. The platelet-aggregating substances L-epinephrine, zymosan, fibrinogen, reserpine, and serotonin caused little or no release of beta-lysin from platelets. The results of this study indicate that the release of beta-lysin during antigen-antibody-complement reactions, blood coagulation, phagocytosis, and inflammation could be enzyme mediated.