15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) product of arachidonic acid has the potential to inhibit leukotriene formation. In the present study the effect of 15-HETE on leukotriene B4 (LTB4)-induced polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and monocyte chemotaxis was investigated. LTB4-induced chemotaxis of PMNs was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by 15-HETE. Maximum inhibition (68%) occurred at a 15-HETE concentration of 10(-4) M. The 15-LO product of eicosapentaenoic acid (15-HEPE) was approximately 10 times less potent in inhibiting LTB4-induced PMN chemotaxis. LTB4-induced chemotaxis of monocytes was unaffected by both 15-HETE and 15-HEPE. Using N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and complement split product C5a as chemoattractants, 15-HETE did not decrease PMN chemotaxis. Furthermore, 15-HETE itself did not affect random migration of leukocytes. The present results demonstrate that 15-HETE inhibits LTB4-induced chemotaxis of PMNs in vitro in a specific and selective way. Because 15-HETE not only inhibits formation, but also the effect of LTB4, it may be important in regulating LTB4-induced inflammation.