Platelets enhance Fc(gamma) receptor-mediated phagocytosis and respiratory burst in neutrophils: the role of purinergic modulation and actin polymerization.

The interaction of platelets with neutrophil granulocytes is considered to play an important role in the inflammatory process, and the present study was focused on platelet-induced modulation of Fcgamma receptor-mediated functions in neutrophils. We found that phagocytosis and the respiratory burst (measured as luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence), triggered in neutrophils by immunoglobulin G (IgG)-opsonized yeast particles, were potentiated by platelets and that maximal enhancement was achieved at a physiological neutrophil/platelet ratio of about 1:50 to 1:100. Platelets both increased the intra- and extracellular generation of oxygen radicals as well as the release of myeloperoxidase from stimulated neutrophils. The presence of platelets also induced a cortical actin polymerization in neutrophils, which might explain the increased phagocytic capacity. Platelets appear to affect neutrophil function in a contact-independent manner that most likely involves ATP, indicated by the following: (1) platelet supernatants, but not fixed platelets, affected neutrophil function in the same way as viable platelets; (2) platelets raised the extracellular ATP level four- to fivefold; (3) exogenous ATP mimicked the effects of platelets on actin polymerization, phagocytosis, and the respiratory burst in neutrophils; (4) hydrolysis of extracellular ATP with apyrase or blocking of ATP receptors with suramin reversed the platelet-induced enhancement of neutrophil function. An increased accumulation of extracellular adenosine, induced by inhibiting endogenous adenosine deaminase or adding exogenous adenosine, reversed the effects of platelets. The platelet-induced potentiation of the respiratory burst was inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation is involved. However, platelets did not significantly affect the Fcgamma receptor-triggered calcium response in neutrophils. In conclusion, we show that platelets, through an ATP-dependent mechanism, potentiate IgG-mediated ingestion and production of oxygen metabolites in neutrophils.