NADPH-dependent superoxide production by intact human neutrophils is inhibited by DPI (diphenyleneiodonium), when stimulated by either FMLP (N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine) or PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). Addition of 10 microM-DPI abolished the reduction of both the FAD and the cytochrome b components of the NADPH oxidase. DPI inhibition of the oxidase was associated with defective aerobic killing of staphylococci by human neutrophils. Anaerobic killing, phagocytosis, chemotaxis and motility were relatively unaffected by 10 microM-DPI. Degranulation of the azurophil and specific granules, induced by the soluble stimuli FMLP or PMA, and by particulate stimuli was decreased by the presence of DPI. The above effects of DPI on human neutrophils are similar to those found in chronic granulomatous disease.
