Lysosomal enzyme secretion by macrophages during intracellular storage of particles

Cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages containing previously endocytosed zymosan or small-fibre asbestos (but not latex or sucrose) were shown to release selectively into the medium the lysosomal hydrolase β-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Thus macrophage lysosomal enzyme secretion was experimentally dissociated from endocytosis (as the residual external particles were washed away from the cells). The cells remained viable, and total activities of both $\text{N-}\text{acetyl}\text{-β-}\text{D}\text{-}\text{glucosaminidase}$ and of lactate dehydrogenase (a cytosol enzyme) rose with time. The relevance of such secretion by macrophages containing stored materials to chronic inflammatory processes is discussed.