Endogenous catecholamine synthesis, metabolism, storage and uptake in human neutrophils

Evidence is presented that human neutrophils contain catecholamines and sev eral of their metabolites. In vitro, incubation with a-methyl-p-tyrosine or pargyline affects intracellular dopamine, norepinephrine and their metabol ites, suggesting catecholamine synthesis and degradation by these cells. Re serpine reduces intracellular dopamine and norepinephrine and desipramine r educes intracellular norepinephrine, suggesting the presence of storage and uptake mechanism. In view of the ability of catecholamines to affect neutr ophil function, the present results support the hypothesis that autoregulat ory adrenergic mechanisms may exist in these cells.