Basophil Histamine Release in Cord Blood Regulatory Role of IgE

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Abstract
Thirty-two cord blood samples were studied for histamine releasing capability by using a sensitive glass microfibre-based histamine analysis. Histamine was obtained after challenge with anti-IgE in 24 of the 32 samples. However, the net release in cord blood was only 25% of that in the adult blood and no relationship was found between histamine release response, total IgE in cord plasma, and a family history of atopic disease. The low histamine release in cord blood seemed to be associated with the immunological IgE receptor complex activation and not with an immature basic cell function, since the calcium ionophore A23187 which bypasses the receptor complex induced identical histamine release curves in cord and adult blood. Furthermore, when comparing the results of passive sensitization of basophils from newborn and adult persons, the newborn basophils possessed a significant fraction of free IgE receptors, whereas in adults most of the receptors were occupied by IgE.