Numerous soluble factors and their receptors contribute to the regulation of immune responses. An important area of investigation concerns defining the regulation of expression of such receptor/ligand pairs, since understanding such events are central in the quest to manipulate immune responses. Receptors for the neuropeptide, substance P, are present on a variety of leukocytes, and these receptor positive cells respond to in vitro stimulation with substance P in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, little is known about the regulation of expression of substance P or its receptor in leukocytes. Here we begin to address this question by examining the ability of macrophages to express mRNAs which encode substance P and its receptor. A radiolabeled oligonucleotide probe complementary to the mRNA which encodes substance P (i.e., preprotachykinin mRNA) hybridized to a 1.3 kb RNA species present in rat macrophages. In addition, the expression of this RNA could be upregulated 6 to 8 fold when macrophages were stimulated with LPS. The ability of macrophages to synthesize and secrete immunoreactive-substance P was demonstrated by incorporation of L-[35S]methionine into material from macrophage cultures which could be recognized by a monoclonal antisubstance antibody. Macrophage RNA of approximately 3.1 kb in size was capable of hybridizing with an oligonucleotide probe complementary to rat brain substance P receptors. In addition, this RNA could be upregulated when cells were exposed to LPS. Taken together, these studies suggest that the genes used by neuronal cells and macrophages to encode substance P and its receptor are similar if not identical.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)