Cellular Communication in Leukotriene C<sub>4</sub> Production between Eosinophils and Neutrophils

Abstract

Eosinophilic granulocytes as well as neutrophilic granulocytes produced leukotriene C4 (LTC4) on stimulation with 1 microM A23187 (Ca2+ ionophore). In healthy volunteers, the LTC4 production in eosinophils was about 3 times the production in neutrophils. Within 15 min greater than 90% of the LTC4 was released into the supernatant. Stimulation of eosinophils and neutrophils together resulted in a synergistic increase in LTC4 production of 306 +/- 40%. LTC4 synthesis by hypodense eosinophils was also enhanced if stimulated in the presence of neutrophils. These findings suggest a communication between eosinophils and neutrophils, which may play a role in bronchial asthma.