The identification of PAF-release-enhancing activity in culture supernatant of mononuclear cells from asthmatics. Correlation between lymphocyte responses and immediate type hypersensitivity.
Cytokines from asthmatic mononuclear cells (MNC) cultured with Bermuda Grass pollen extract (BG), were tested for their effect on leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) generation by neutrophil under calcium ionophore stimulation. Three groups were enrolled in this study: 9 allergic asthmatics showing skin intradermal test positive to BG, 12 non-allergic asthmatics and 5 normal individuals. Results showed that the stimulation index of BG on MNC and the mediator-release enhancing activity from both allergic and non-allergic asthmatics were similar; neither showed significant increase when compared to that of normal individuals. However, there was a significant increase in PAF-release-enhancing activity in unstimulated MNC supernatant from both allergic and non-allergic asthmatics (618 +/- 75 pg/10(6) neutrophils and 569 +/- 60 pg/10(6) neutrophils) when compared to that of normal individuals (460 +/- 40 pg/10(6) neutrophils). This PAF-release-enhancing activity did not correlate with either skin test reactivity or the amount of BG specific IgE antibodies. The PAF-release-enhancing activity in unstimulated MNC supernatants from asthmatics suggesting that there is a pre-activation of MNC which might contribute to the asthmatic reaction through generation of PAF by neutrophils.
Tsai
J J
JJ
Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Su
S N
SN
Yu
L N
LN
Wang
S R
SR
D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology
D003470:Culture Media; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D007975:Leukotriene B4