We investigated the mechanism by which lytic granules extracted from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) damage guinea pig ventricular myocytes in order to determine whether their actions can be related to the overall immunological rejection of the transplanted heart. Granule-induced myocyte morphological changes and final destruction were preceded by shortening of action potential duration (APD) and reductions of the resting potential and the action potential amplitude. APD shortening was probably caused by a granule-induced increase in outward current (most likely non-specific). Ryanodine, which blocks Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, did not interfere with the morphological and electrophysiological effects of lytic granules. Fura-2 imaging indicated that [Ca2+]i initially increased about 2-fold from 90.0 +/- 11.5 nM, while cell length decreased less than 5% from a mean value of 99.0 +/- 9.0 microns. A further increase in [Ca2+]i (greater than 10 fold) was associated with progressive contracture and destruction, suggesting that the structural damage inflicted by lytic granules is caused by [Ca2+]i overload. The results indicate that the cytocidal action of CTL-derived lytic granules may be involved in immunologically induced damage, even to the extent of rejection of the transplanted heart.