title: Betamethasone modulates the biological function of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
abstract: We have examined the influence of betamethasone (BT) on cyclic AMP (cAMP) metabolism and lysosomal enzyme release from highly purified (approximately equal to 99%) human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Preincubation (1-24 h) of human PMNs with BT (10(-9)-10(-5) M) had no effect on either cAMP content or on beta-glucuronidase release induced by formyl-containing tripeptide (f-met peptide). Preincubation (16-24 h) of PMNs with BT (10(-8)-10(-7) M) dose-dependently potentiated the cAMP accumulation caused by beta-agonists (isoproterenol), adenosine A2/Ra agonist (NECA), prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and histamine in PMNs. Similarly, BT potentiated the inhibition of f-met peptide-induced beta-glucuronidase release from human PMNs caused by PGE1 (10(-6) M), histamine (2 X 10(-5) M), NECA (10(-4) M) and isoproterenol (10(-6) M).
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001623:Betamethasone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases