ENHANCEMENT OF IGE-MEDIATED HISTAMINE-RELEASE FROM HUMAN BASOPHILS BY IMMUNE-SPECIFIC LYMPHOKINES

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  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (2) , 380-387
Abstract
Human leukocytes (basophils) release histamine when exposed to ragweed antigen E or anti-IgE. When leukocytes from BCG-positive donors are first incubated with PPD [purified protein derivative] and then challenged with anti-IgE, histamine release is enhanced. In contrast, when leukocytes from BCG-negative donors are incubated with PPD and then challenged with anti-IgE there is no enhancement of histamine release. The enhancement of histamine release was detected within 24 h after addition of PPD, but was maximal at 48-72 h. Supernatant fluids collected from these leukocyte cultures revealed the presence of a soluble mediator(s) which, when incubated with leukocytes from BCG-negative donors, enhanced the release of histamine. Examination of the supernatant fluids from BCG-positive leukocyte cultures stimulated with PPD showed a correlation between histamine-release enhancing activity and interferon. Treatment of the culture fluids at pH 2.0 abolished the anti-viral activity, indicating that the interferon was of the type II or immune class. The same treatment only partly abolished the histamine-release enhancing activity. Immune-specific stimulation of leukocytes results in the release of soluble mediators that are capable of enhancing IgE-mediated histamine release.