title: Lectin-mediated reactions in histamine release caused by bacteria.
abstract: The bacteria-induced release of histamine was studied in human basophil leukocytes and in isolated rat mast cells. Whole bacteria of Staph. aureus caused release in a 98% pure population of peritoneal mast cells from germ-free rats, indicating a non-immunological mechanism and a direct interaction between the bacteria and the target cells. Probably the bacterial cell wall interacts with the cell membrane, since a preparation of the bacterial cell wall caused a dose-dependent release of histamine from basophil leukocytes similar to that induced by whole bacteria, and repeated washing of whole bacteria did not change the release. Inhibition studies by lectin-binding sugars indicate that aminosugars on the bacterial surface of Staph. aureus interact with lectins on the basophil cell membrane leading to histamine release.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001491:Basophils / Q000378:metabolism; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037102:Lectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D037102:Lectins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E