Specific receptors for a recently purified and cloned monocyte-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MDNCF) have been identified on the surface of normal human peripheral blood neutrophils using 125I-labeled recombinant human MDNCF (125I-MDNCF). Competitive binding of 125I-MDNCF to human neutrophils reached a maximal level at 1-3 h at 4 degrees C. The Scatchard analysis showed that there are approximately 20,000 receptors per cell with a single type of high affinity binding (Kd, 8 x 10(-10) M). The receptors for MDNCF are clearly distinct from the receptors for other cytokines and chemotactic agents, e.g., IL-1 alpha, TNF-alpha, and FMLP, C5a, leukotriene B4, and platelet activating factor. Based on the SDS-PAGE analysis of chemically crosslinked 125I-MDNCF receptor complex, there are two polypeptides that bind MDNCF; the molecular weight of these two MDNCF receptors were estimated to be 67,000 and 59,000. Treatment of a promyelocytic cell line, HL60, with 1.25% DMSO for 5 d in vitro increased the number of receptors up to 7,000 receptors/cell with a Kd of 1.2 x 10(-9) M.