Opsonized zymosan-stimulated granulocytes-activation and activity of the superoxide-generating system and membrane potential changes.

Phagocytic cells generate superoxide in response to stimulation by opsonized particles. A continuous assay for opsonized zymosan-stimulated granulocyte superoxide production shows that there is a lag time between the addition of particles and the onset of detectable superoxide production. Superoxide production is preceded by membrane potential depolarization. Neither superoxide production nor membrane depolarization occurs in granulocytes from patients with chronic granulomatous disease. The extent of activation by opsonized zymosan is affected by the dose of zymosan from 0.5 to 4.5 mg/ml, but the time necessary for activation (lag time) is not. Similarly, the extent of depolarization but not the time necessary for attaining maximum depolarization is concentration-dependent. Effects of temperature, divalent cations, 2-deoxyglucose, cyanide, and N-ethyl maleimide on superoxide production are similar for granulocytes treated with soluble stimuli and with opsonized zymosan. Thus, zymosan stimulates granulocytes to generate superoxide and undergo membrane depolarization in a manner similar to that elected by soluble stimuli.