The profiles of actions of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and lipoxin B4 (LXB4), two lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids, were examined with human neutrophils. At nanomolar concentrations, LXA4 and LXB4 each stimulated the release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid from esterified sources in neutrophils. Lipoxin-induced release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid was both dose- and time-dependent and was comparable to that induced by the chemotactic peptide f-met-leu-phe. Time-course studies revealed that lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 each induced a biphasic release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid, which was evident within seconds (5-15 sec) in its initial phase and minutes (greater than 30 sec) in the second phase. In contrast, the all-trans isomers of LXA4 and LXB4 did not provoke [1-14C]AA release. Lipoxin-induced release of arachidonic acid was inhibited by prior treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin but not by its beta-oligomers, suggesting the involvement of guaninine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins in this event. Dual radiolabeling of neutrophil phospholipid classes with [1-14C]arachidonic acid and [3H]palmitic acid showed that phosphatidylcholine was a major source of lipoxin-induced release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid. They also demonstrated that lipoxins rapidly stimulate both formation of phosphatidic acid as well as phospholipid remodeling. Although both LXA4 and LXB4 (10(-8)-10(-6) M) stimulated the release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid, neither compound evoked its oxygenation by either the 5- or 15-lipoxygenase pathways (including the formation of LTB4, 20-COOH-LTB4, 5-HETE, or 15-HETE). LXA4 and LXB4 (10(-7) M) each stimulated the elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ as monitored with Fura 2-loaded cells, albeit to a lesser extent than equimolar concentrations of FMLP. Neither lipoxin altered the binding of [3H]LTB4 to its receptor on neutrophils. In addition, they did not stimulate aggregation or induce adhesion of neutrophils to human endothelial cells. Results indicate that both LXA4 and LXB4 stimulate the rapid remodeling of neutrophil phospholipids to release arachidonic acid without provoking either aggregation or the formation of lipoxygenase-derived products within a similar temporal and dose range. Together they indicate that LXA4 and LXB4 display selective actions with human neutrophils and suggest that these eicosanoids possess unique profiles of action which may regulate neutrophil function during inflammation.