Influence of bronchial allergen challenge on histamine release by human basophils.
BACKGROUND
Basophils can be primed by cytokines such as interleukin (IL) -3, IL-5 or granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). It has been described that the concentrations of these cytokines are enhanced at sites of allergic inflammation as well as systemic in allergic asthma.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the priming status of basophils as detected by thapsigargin-induced histamine release during bronchial allergen challenge.


METHODS
Ten subjects allergic to house dust mite were challenged via an aerosol delivery system. Spontaneous leucocyte histamine release as well as histamine release induced by various stimuli was measured in vitro at several time points. In addition, lung function parameters, serum IL-5 and blood eosinophil counts were evaluated.


RESULTS
We found no effect of bronchial allergen challenge upon spontaneous leucocyte histamine release, nor upon histamine release induced by anti-immunoglobulin (Ig) E, house dust mite extract, C5a, fMLP, IL-3, PMA+ thapsigargin or IL-3+ thapsigargin. However, the priming status of basophils as measured by thapsigargin-induced histamine release was enhanced at 24 h after bronchial allergen challenge. Analysis of the individual data showed a heterogeneous initial response (30 min, 6 h) followed by a predominant increase at 24 h after allergen challenge. This increase in the thapsigargin-induced histamine release correlated with the increase in serum IL-5 levels at 24 h after allergen challenge.


CONCLUSIONS
The priming status of human basophils as measured by thapsigargin-induced histamine release is enhanced 24 h after allergen challenge.
Lie
W J
WJ
Central Laboratory of The Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service and the Laboratory for Experimental and Clinical and Immunology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Van Der Veen
M J
MJ
Knol
E F
EF
Mul
F P
FP
Jansen
H M
HM
Roos
D
D
Van Der Zee
J S
JS
D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001491:Basophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D004391:Dust; D004804:Eosinophils; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D019284:Thapsigargin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D015848:Interleukin-5; D019284:Thapsigargin