The role of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) as potent agonist of the PMN respiratory burst signal transduction cascade has been described. We hypothesized that this phenomenon is self-limiting and that polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-derived reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) might provide feedback regulation on the IL-1beta surface receptor (IL-1betaR)-G-protein-effector enzyme transducing tripartite complex that ultimately leads to NADPH oxidase activation. Therefore, we separately assessed either baseline or IL-1beta-induced activation of each member of the IL-1betaR-G-protein-phospholipase D (PLD) or IL-1betaR-G-protein-phospholipase C (PLC) signaling systems in the presence or absence of one of several specific ROI scavengers/antioxidants. Purified human PMN were lipopolysaccharide primed, adhered for 2 h, and stimulated with 100 ng/mL IL-1beta with or without 1% v/v dimethyl sulfoxide, 10 mM NaN3, 30 mM L-alanine, 200 U catalase, or 300 U superoxide dismutase (SOD). To validate the use of these antioxidants, the production of O2-, H2O2, hypochlorous acid, or myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the employed experimental model was confirmed in a separate set of experiments. The expression of IL-1betaR type I or II was assessed by binding with corresponding 125I-labeled monoclonal antibodies and corrected for nonspecific binding. PLD activation was assessed by measuring phosphatidyl ethanol formation in the presence of ethanol. PLC activation was determined by quantitative measurement of diacylglycerol. The level of Galpha stimulatory and inhibitory subunits was assessed by Western blotting. IL-1betaR type I expression was significantly up-regulated in the presence of catalase and SOD. PLD activation was increased by dimethyl sulfoxide and NaN3, and PLC activation was up-regulated by NaN3, L-alanine, SOD, and catalase. After 5 min of stimulation with IL-1beta, Gialpha expression was significantly down-regulated by NaN3 and SOD, whereas SOD had an up-regulating effect on the expression of Gs alpha. Increasing concentrations of externally added authentic MPO progressively down-regulated both PLD and PLC activity. Thus, PMN-derived ROI, in addition to their role as antibacterial/fungal agents, serve as second messengers in IL-1beta signal transduction, with MPO having the most ubiquitous role as a modulator of PMN second messenger pathways.