title: Ragweed antigen E and anti-IgE in human central versus peripheral isolated bronchi.
abstract: The ability of antigen to contract passively sensitized tissues was examined in human central (5 to 12 mm) and peripheral (0.5 to 2 mm) bronchi. Both central and peripheral bronchi contracted to ragweed antigen E (RW AgE), and these contractions were virtually abolished by a combination of indomethacin, cysteinyl-leukotriene, and histamine antagonists. There were, however, quantitative differences in contractile responses and in mediator release to RW AgE between central and peripheral bronchi. RW AgE was approximately 20-fold more potent in contracting peripheral bronchi compared with central bronchi. On a per weight of tissue basis, RW AgE released six-fold more histamine, 15- to 20-fold more immunoreactive leukotriene D4 (i-LTD4) and two- to 10-fold more prostanoids in the peripheral bronchi compared with central bronchi. Anti-IgE mimicked the effect of RW AgE with respect to inflammatory mediator release and with respect to the magnitude of the contractile response in peripheral and central bronchi. Anti-IgE, however, was more potent in contracting central than peripheral bronchi. Moreover, in peripheral bronchi, contractile responses to anti-IgE were only partially inhibited by a combination of indomethacin, cysteinyl-leukotriene, and histamine antagonists. These results indicate that the qualitative characteristics of antigen-induced mediator release and muscle contraction are similar in central versus peripheral bronchi. However, RW AgE is much more potent in causing smooth muscle constriction, and is capable of releasing a greater quantity of inflammatory mediators in peripheral bronchi/bronchioles than in the more central bronchi.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Hubbard
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meeker
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Undem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; C026967:Amb a I protein, Ambrosia artemisiifolia; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D010940:Plant Proteins; C026408:anti-IgE antibodies; D007073:Immunoglobulin E