1 We studied the e ect exerted by hr-interleukin-1a (IL-1a) on responsiveness of alveolar macrophages (AM) from naive and sensitized guinea-pigs, through O 2 -. production (by ferricytochrome C reduction), platelet-activating factor (PAF) release (by platelet aggregation), prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) release (by a radioimmunoassay), and cytosolic phospholipase A 2 (cPLA 2 ) activity (by hydrolysis of radioactive substrate). 2 In naive guinea-pig AM, 0.06 nM hr-IL-1a pretreatment decreased by 65% O 2 -. release stimulated with 10 nM fMLP. In contrast, O 2 -. production was not a ected in sensitized guinea-pig AM.3 O 2 -. release elicited by fMLP stimulation in both cell groups was a ected by PLA 2 inhibitors (10 mM bromophenacyl bromide, BPB or 10 mM methylprednisolone, MP). In contrast, 10 mM arachidonyl tri¯uoromethyl ketone (AACOCF 3 ), a cPLA 2 inhibitor, was ine ective. 4 In naive AM, PAF release was elicited by hr-IL-1a pretreatment and by separate fMLP-stimulation, but when the stimulus was added to hr-IL-1a-pretreated cells inhibition of PAF release was observed. In sensitized AM, PAF release was lower than that found in naive guinea-pig AM in both hr-IL-1a-pretreated and fMLP-stimulated cells. 5 PGE 2 release was una ected by hr-IL-1a pretreatment and it was decreased by fMLP in both naive and sensitized AMs. The latter released less PGE 2 than naive cells in basal conditions and after fMLP treatment. 6 Sensitized AM showed a greater cPLA 2 activity in all experimental conditions in comparison to naive cells. cPLA 2 activity assayed in the cytosolic fraction was found to be enhanced by hr-IL-1a pretreatment and by fMLP stimulation in naive but not in sensitized AM. However, when the stimulus was added to hr-IL-1a-pretreated cells we observed a decrease in cPLA 2 activity in the cytosol and an increase in the membranes, thus suggesting a translocation of enzymatic activity. 7 In conclusion, hr-IL-1a can modulate the responsiveness of AM from naive and sensitized guineapigs, as suggested by changes found in the release of PAF and O 2 -. and in cPLA 2 activity; therefore, sensitization itself may a ect cellular responsiveness.