Acute glomerulonephritis is frequently associated with intraglomerular neutrophil (PMN) accumulation and the intensity of the inflammatory reaction is correlated with elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha). PMN are thought to damage glomeruli due to a combination of reactive oxygen species and proteolytic enzymes. Using an in vitro model of anti-GBM nephritis the effects of TNF alpha on GBM damage by PMN were evaluated. The interaction of GBM and PMN resulted in a low grade respiratory burst that was significantly augmented by the addition of TNF alpha. Luminol dependent chemiluminescence (LCL) was increased from 2.4 x 10(6) to 48.1 x 10(6) (P < 0.05). The GBM induced LCL could be > 85% inhibited by blocking with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the common beta chain of the PMN beta 2 integrin family (CD18), but was unaffected by mAbs to CD11a or CD11b subunits. Degradation of GBM, however, was not influenced by either TNF alpha priming of PMN or anti-beta 2 integrin mAbs. When PMN were incubated with GBM-anti-GBM IgG complex they underwent an increase in LCL from 2.4 x 10(6) to 31.1 x 10(6). They also degraded more GBM than controls (10.1% vs. 1.8%). These aspects of PMN activation were Fc receptor mediated, dependent upon anti-GBM IgG being bound to GBM and inhibited by mAb to the PMN Fc receptor. These studies show that TNF alpha can modulate the inflammatory response of PMN in contact with GBM in a CD18 dependent manner. In contrast, Fc receptor mediated events are uninfluenced by TNF alpha.