Luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LCL) of phagocytes is often used to monitor for the generation of reactive oxygen mediators. A strong LCL reaction, as observed in triggered peripheral blood monocytes and neutrophils, depends on both the activation of an NAD(P)H-dependent oxidase and a functional myeloperoxidase (MPO). The aim of this work was to compare the LCL response induced by soluble and particulate stimuli in monocytes with that of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In agreement with earlier results, neutrophils showed a first peak of LCL activity within 1 min and a second peak around 3 min when stimulated with soluble stimuli. The first peak is sensitive to oxygen scavengers and requires the presence of extracellular luminol, whereas the second peak is much less sensitive to oxygen scavengers and does not require the presence of extracellular luminol. The first peak of LCL is therefore thought to represent extracellular and the second peak intracellular LCL. Monocytes, in contrast, showed only the first peak of LCL activity. This peak was sensitive to oxygen scavengers, required the extracellular presence of luminol, and could be suppressed by a rapid pH shift to a pH not allowing LCL (i.e., to pH 5). These results suggest that the stimulus-dependent extracellular release of oxygen metabolites and of MPO is an obligatory requirement for LCL induced in monocytes. An exclusively extracellular LCL was noted upon stimulation with aggregated immunoglobulin G, f-Met-Leu-Phe, phorbol myristate acetate, A23187, anti-CD36 antibodies, opsonized zymosan, and opsonized E. coli. With the addition of H2O2 in excess (1 microM), the LCL response of monocytes therefore reflected the stimulus-dependent degranulation of MPO, and LCL-based determination of MPO release closely correlated with enzymatic MPO determination. The question of why LCL induced in monocytes, but not in PMNs, is restricted to the extracellular compartment was addressed. Although flow cytometric experiments were consistent with the hypothesis that extracellular H2O2 entered the cytoplasm of monocytes less efficiently than that of PMNs, other more important factors are assumed to contribute. Collectively, these results point to previously unrecognized differences in monocyte and PMN LCL which may reflect cellular differences of potential pathophysiological significance.