Secretion of unique eosinophil granule constituents may play a role in allergic and parasitic reactions. Therefore we have investigated possible mechanisms for regulation of secretion in eosinophils. A hemolytic plaque assay and an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay were developed for detection of secreted eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) from single adherent eosinophils. The protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced release of ECP in a dose-dependent fashion but 4-alpha-PMA, an analogue that does not activate protein kinase C, did not cause degranulation. Staurosporine and K252a, inhibitors of protein kinase C, decreased PMA-induced ECP secretion. Low concentrations of cytochalasin B enhanced PMA-induced secretion but high concentrations had an inhibitory effect. The calcium ionophores A23187 and ionomycin were weaker secretagogues than PMA. Tumor necrosis factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin-3, interleukin-5, N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, and lipopolysaccharide caused little or no degranulation in adherent eosinophils. Preincubation of eosinophils with antibodies to CD18, the common beta chain of leukocyte adhesion proteins, resulted in inhibition of PMA-induced ECP release from adherent cells. 1,2-Bis(O-aminophenyl)-ethane-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), an agent that acts intracellularly by chelation of calcium, also inhibited PMA-mediated ECP release. In conclusion, PMA induces release of ECP from single adherent eosinophils and the effect appears to be mediated via protein kinase C and, in contrast to that in neutrophils, to be dependent on CD11/CD18 leukocyte integrins.